We started to feel a little better last night when Anni popped her thumb up into the air to answer "yes" to questions. True, it took a little effort to get her arm up, and it was a decidedly wobbly affair once it was in the air. But "thumbs up" is a completely Annika-type thing to do, and not at all like the moaning, thrashing, incoherent, scrunchy-eyed creature she was on Friday morning.
One of the doctors came in last night to recap the whole episode with us. He opened with the observation, "I understand Annika came to the PICU a little altered." I did not reply, "Yes, as long as you consider what happens to the Wolfman under the full moon to be a little altered. By that standard, yes, a little." Of course the only reason I didn't make that clever reply is that I was too sleep-deprived to think it up right then. Also, it took me the longest time to get my brain to remember that it's not vampires that have the full moon problem.
Anni cried a little when she woke up and realized she had tubes down both her nose and her throat, but she calmed down once she realized that they were planning to take them out when she was more awake. Then she went right back to sleep again.
They pulled the ventilator tube late this morning, and she's doing fine, if still a little weak and slow. The first thing she asked about was when she could eat. The second thing she asked for was to call Frankie. I'm pretty sure Frankie would understand second place: Children's has some pretty awesome chicken broth (not low sodium! score!), and don't even get her started on the potato stars.
There's still no word on what, exactly, happened. Stroke was pretty high up on the list, giving the way she was behaving, but the MRI showed absolutely no signs of even a small stroke. Infectious Disease stopped by to announce that they felt certain there was no infection to blame. After eliminating a few other possibilities (brain bleed, prograf toxicity, metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalance, and some other things they probably didn't even bother mentioning), that leaves high ammonia levels brought on by her G.I. bleed as the most likely explanation, even though the liver docs have told us that hepatic encephalopathy doesn't usually look like that unless the liver has suddenly and completely shut down.
Annika is going to be on some new medicines when she leaves to help control her ammonia levels, but I'm still not looking forward to her next bleed. Because that was some seriously scary shit. I mean, come on, brain swelling? That wasn't on my big list of Liver Stuff to Worry About.
This IS good news. Our best to all of you.
Posted by: arlopop | September 07, 2008 at 01:56 PM
Moreena you are in my heart and in my prayers, as is Anni.
I am so relieved she's hanging in there.
Posted by: jessica | September 07, 2008 at 02:16 PM
A little altered. Oh, doctors. They SLAY me.
I hope the medicines do the trick and Wolfgirl doesn't reappear.
And also, WHEW. This was like a big sigh of relief to read.
Posted by: Kyla | September 07, 2008 at 02:30 PM
We will all sleep easier tonight for this update, Moreena. Thanks.
Posted by: Deb | September 07, 2008 at 02:40 PM
holding you in the light still.
Posted by: ppb | September 07, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Oh goodness - I haven't been around much of late - I hope you folk (and your medicine men) get a handle on this latest thing and Anni can have a double thumbs up for everything soon.
Posted by: jeanie | September 07, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Thanks for the update Moreena.
Extra hugs all around!
Posted by: Lee | September 07, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Thumbs up on waking up as herself! Continuing to pray for you all. Thanks for the update.
Posted by: Academic | September 07, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Thanks for the update. I'm so glad the news is better. Still praying!
Posted by: Jane | September 07, 2008 at 05:13 PM
woo hoo for the thumbs up! happy dancing for the ventilator out! and very excellent she wanted to eat and to call frankie!!!!
many hugs and thoughts to you. i'm so glad she is doing better, and hoping that the whetever-it-was does not make a repeat appearance. xoxoxo
Posted by: kathy a. | September 07, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Sending good thoughts from here ....
Posted by: jo(e) | September 07, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Thank goodness for the thumbs up.
Posted by: Jody | September 07, 2008 at 06:34 PM
thumbs up to Annika - she is one seriously tough little chick!!
Posted by: heather | September 07, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Jeez, I don't stop by for a few weeks and look what happens. I'm glad she's doing better and I'll keep you all in my prayers.
Asking for food is always a good sign.
Posted by: Susan | September 07, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Hope the improvement continues...
Posted by: Rev Dr Mom | September 07, 2008 at 09:30 PM
I am new to your blog, but please know that you are in my thoughts. I hope that the improvement continues. Yay for the thumbs up!
Posted by: Marinka | September 08, 2008 at 04:08 AM
Jozet sent me and just wanted to throw in my words of support. Hope there are many more thumbs up to come, from Annika and her doctors alike.
Posted by: Mom101 | September 08, 2008 at 05:06 AM
Hope things are still getting better... (( ))
Posted by: Alice | September 08, 2008 at 05:33 AM
Keeping my thoughts on you!
Posted by: liz | September 08, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Thank God.
Posted by: Becca | September 08, 2008 at 06:30 AM
Been in my thoughts these last few days, glad there is finally some good news.
Posted by: K | September 08, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Hi Moreena,
I'm keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad you have this bit of good news!
Posted by: Lauren | September 09, 2008 at 06:41 AM
Oh no. I just read all the recent updates - what a terrible nightmare.
So glad to hear Annika is better and more stable and much more herself again - but still so shit scary.
All my best wishes,
Posted by: Hannah | September 09, 2008 at 02:02 PM
sending more hugs, and some very cute litte teeny tiny invisible powerful sweet dinosaurs to whomever might need them.
Posted by: kathy a. | September 09, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Thinking of y'all...hoping you're home soon.
Posted by: Laurie | September 10, 2008 at 05:19 AM