Slough
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: S. Ga.
Posts: 4608 |
Latest on Jessica
Jay is her father
Jay sent us this e-mail which explains Jessica’s condition and the events which have transpired leading up to the “crisis” which occurred this past Friday. We thought it might be helpful as so many of us have little knowledge of Addison’s Disease.
Two years ago Jessica was diagnosed with Addison's Disease which is when the adrenal glands shut down and quit producing cortisol (cortisone is the replacement hormone). Lack of cortisol causes low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, lethargy, etc. she almost died then before we finally got a diagnosis.
When the body is under stress, the body produces extra cortisol. If it didn't, blood pressure would drop and we would die. As a result Jess has to wear a medic alert bracelet so emts know to give her higher doses in event of trauma, accident, serious illness, etc.
Early last thursday morning, jessica got a bad stomach virus, with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Got extremely dehydrated. Couldnt keep meds down so cortisone in her system dropped to zero. Stress of illness made her need more cortisone, which she wasnt getting which made her blood pressure drop dangerously low and put her in what they call an Addisonian Crisis. She passed out at noon on Friday less than 36 hours after she originally got sick. Carole called 911 and by the time EMTs arrived, she had quit breathing and they had to do CPR.
She coded twice at Mitchell County Hospital and they had to shock her. They got her stable and transferred her to Albany. She was hypothermic (90 degrees).
She has been on a vent since friday and has not been able to breathe on her own. They kept her sedated to try to keep her from pulling the vent out. Her blood pressure stayed real low for the longest time but has been stable for the last two days. Temperature spiked to 103 during the first night (Friday) and they had to ice her down.
The initial concern was possible brain damage from lack of oxygen while she wasn't breathing. She came around enough on Sunday to nod and shake her head, respond to questions and commands, so that was reassuring. She was confused, upset, hurting, uncomfortable, but was most definitely aware and apparently has most of her faculties. For this we are profoundly thankful.
However, she passed out and her heart stopped because she was dangerously dehydrated resulting in extremely low blood pressure. When this happens, evidently the body tries to protect its core organs by shutting off circulation to the extremities.
As a result of discoloration in Jessica's legs they called in a vascular consult Sunday afternoon who confirmed that there was serious damage to Jessica's left leg.
That is why we took her to Emory on monday. Plus, they wanted to put her on dialysis because kidneys were shutting down. We were looking at multiple organ failure and we needed more intense intervention.
When we got here damage to legs was much worse than we thought, was irreversible, and the toxins from the deteriorating muscles were damaging the kidneys, so we had no choice but to let them remove both legs, which they did last night.
She came through surgery and tolerated it well. She rested well last night. She is now on dialysis but we are hopeful that that is only temporary and that with support and lowered toxin levels the kidneys will bounce back.
If we can get her well, then we help her deal with the tremendous changes this means for her life.
We have been extremely blessed by the outpouring of concern and prayers from everywhere. We cannot believe the level of love and support we have received, and, in spite of everything, consider ourselves extremely fortunate.
Jay Powell
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James Lawrence, Big Slough Kennels
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Heather
03-12-2013 02:43 AM
... I got to see Rob Thomas !!! Hahaha... Thanks to a certain some one that got me hooked on matchbox 20...they have created a monster .. Lmbo !! Wow what a blast !!!!!!!
