I am sorry for the delay in posting this info, it has been a busy couple of days. On Tuesday, the doctors tried to extubate (remove the ventilator) Raena and get her to breathe on her own. She struggled to breathe and they tried helping her by giving her some steroids and an inhaling mist similar to what an asthma patient might receive to open her airway up. Unfortunately, this did not work and the doctors determined she would have to be intubated again. Even with a struggle to breathe on her own and basically no voice yet, Raena was trying to say “No, No, No” which was very disheartening.
They had to sedate her again in order to intubate her and while doing so, they were able to notice that her upper respiratory tract was swollen and they could only see one of her vocal chords while doing the procedure. This allowed them to figure out the swelling was probably due to the ventilator tube being in for over two weeks and in order to get the swelling down, they are giving Raena a dose of steroids 3 times a day.
In addition to this, they have sedated her quite a bit so that the tube doesn’t bother her as she really doesn’t like it, although understands that it is needed in order for her to breathe properly right now. She groggily wakes up from time to time because of coughing up mucus or irritation caused by the tube down her throat. She is still able to communicate with us through hand signals and light squeezes of her hand to let us know if she needs to go potty or needs more pain meds.
They expect her to be in this sedated state for about 48 hours where they can look to see if the swelling has gone down in her respiratory tract so that they can be able to remove the intubation tube. Until then, Raena will need to have help from the ventilator in order to keep breathing.
As far as her eye goes, the ophthalmologist has come in daily to check on her eyes to make sure no permanent damage was done during the coma. She has dry spots around her eyes and an ulcer in her left eye from dryness and irritation. Over the last couple days, they have given her special eye drops and antibiotics to help with this. The doctor says that she is progressing nicely and the ulcer should disappear once the medication takes effect and the dryness goes away. The other thing is that her eyes need to be taped shut unless she is awake and wants to see to make sure that her eyes stay moist.
All in all, she is still improving, the doctors say this is not really a major setback and that it is typical in patients who have been in a coma and a ventilator for a long period of time. Hopefully these steroids and antibiotics will be able to reduce swelling in both her eyes and upper respiratory tract so she can be extubated for good and be able to have her eyes back to normal as well. I will send another update tonight!
Thank you Steven for having the energy and amazing courage to give us all the updated information on your beautiful daughter Raena! I also am checking throughout the day and night like many other friends and family members hoping each time that Raena is improving daily ❤️ All our love to Raena and your family ! Praying for miracles each and every day! Praying for your family ! You all are absolutely courageously strong and so loving ! I know with all my heart that God is right there with you all holding you in his arms ❤️ All our love heart to heart Chow family !
Xoxo Amber, bone, Faith , Summer , Skipper and Magic ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Still praying. Hopefully the next 48 hours will go as planned. She’s such a fighter! Go Raena!
Alexia’s grandparents in Dallas are keeping up with Raena’s progress thru the ups and the downs of this difficult journey for your family. Your strength and faith are amazing examples for us all. Raena is in our prayers that she will soon be on the full road to recovery and home with her family where she belongs. Ed & Rita Brooks
Hi Mimi it’s Alexia thanks for keeping up with Raena.
Dear Steven and Nikki, Although you do not know me, I have been a friend of Ted and Barbara and a co-worker of Barbara’s since 1995. My husband Chuck and I also live in Huntington Landmark. We have spent time at the Landmark swimming pool with our granddaughters and with your daughters on several occasions. Raena fairly recently visited our home with Grandma Barbara to see Chuck’s paintings, which fill our house. He gave her a tour and presented her with a calendar from a local realtor which contained a photograph of one of his paintings. It was a delight to see the appreciation of art in her eyes and her face. We both send her our best wishes for a speedy recovery and a return home as soon as possible. It is so meaningful that you post daily blogs so those of us that care about Raena, some of which you might not even know, can keep current on her progress without bothering to ask any of you about it. Best regards to all of you! Sue and Chuck Delarue
Thanks for the update. I appreciate the info and time it takes to write them.
Hoping for the best outcome, Raena has been fighting through so much, keep fighting sweet Raena! We are all thinking about and praying for you and your family. Eric, Sheri and Alexia Brooks