8-17-2009 - Very swallon

Mackenzie is stable today, but is very swollen. She is the biggest she has been yet. They took a scan of her lungs again, and they're looking the best they have yet. It still is partially collapsed, but has opened a little. Infectious disease and the hematologists came in today to look at her. They are working together to help fight her infection. They now have her on 3 antibiotics, rather than 4. She has an infection throughout her, but they're unsure as of right now what kind. They're pretty sure it has came from the bowels. The doctor's told us that she has DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation). Small clots consume all the available coagulation proteins and platelets, normal coagulation is disrupted and abnormal bleeding occurs from the skin (e.g. from sites where blood samples were taken), the digestive track, the respiratory track and surgical wounds. The small clots also disrupt normal blood flow to organs (such as the kidneys), which may malfunction as a result. She had an IV in her arterial line in her arm, which they had to take out today because the blood flow stopped there, causing a blood clot to form, and dead skin to appear. The plastic surgeon is coming in tomorrow to look at, and she will more than likely have to have a skin graph.Mackenzie has been hooked up to a ventilator with a breathing tube down her. She can breath on her own but the Dr's don't want her to, they want her to save all her energy so she can heal better. She is also on a pain killer/sedative, Fentanyl, which is about 80 times more potent than morphine. She was on a paralytic but have taken her off since she seems to be doing ok. Although from time to time they will give her a dose if they need her to be still for awhile.