The Achmadis
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Nicolas Achmadi - additional report
These events followed just after I posted the previous blog ...
After posting the blog, I recieved a call from Erika at 5 pm, that Nic had some heart problems and had to be flown to Auckland Hospital that evening. The symptoms was his skin is blue, due to lack of oxygen in the blood. The early diagnosis from the doctor in Wanganui said it might be that the arteri to the lung went back to the lung, and the arteri to the body went back to the body, not picking up O2 from the lungs. What kept Nic well during this time is the amount of Haemoglobin in babies blood carrying O2 and a valve between these arteries providing minimum transfer of blood. Nic had to be flown to Auckland becuase they had the proper instruments to make a better diagnosis and scan, and possibly an operation.
The Neonatal ward of Wellington Hospital, the closest hospital to Wanganui, was close due to a rare deadly lung infection which already took the lives of 3 premature babies and many other were infected. The whole ward was closed and quarrantined. So Auckland Hospital was our only choise. A medical team from Wellington was assemblied and was sent by plane to Wanganui to deliver Nic and Erika, their departure time was 8.30 pm. Families and close friends were notified at once, asking their support and prayer.
When Will and I arrived at the hospital, we decided that we will all go to Auckland as well, as the burden would be to much for Erika to handle on her own and we didn't want to leave Will alone for 5-7 days, as they predicted for treatment. So, once the plan was settled, I booked the next plane to Auckland, which departed from Palmerston North (1 hour drive from Wanganui).
The plane departed at 10pm and arrived in Auckland at 11 pm, and we jumped on the first taxi I saw to Auckland Hospital. This is my second time I've been to Auckland, and I didn't have a clue where is where. Once I arrived, I asked whether Erika and Nic has arrived, and the people at PICU (Pedeatrician Intensive Care Unit) said that they haven't arrived yet, and have no idea what's delaying them. They provided a family room for us to rest and would notify us once Erika and Nic came.
I was awoken at 2am, saying that Erika and Nic arrived. Nic was immediately checked and connected to machines that monitored his blood pressure, O2, heart beat, etc. When I asked what caused the delay, Erika said that when they wanted to transfer Nic, his blood pressure dropped, so they had to wait untill he was stabilised.
The nurses there were very friendly, and they gave us a room to rest, where normally Will and I would have to find our own accomodation. The doctors were planning to have a ECHO scan (well, it sounds like it), a special scan for the heart and some x-rays to make the next move.
Later on that morning, we were informed that the previous diagnosis was wrong, and the real reason was the narrow blood vessel to the body, a premature valve in the heart and a weak mussle on the left side of the heart. All these are ussually found in a premature baby and it is caused due to the change of blood circulation when the baby was in the womb, and when the baby is self supported by his own breath. While the baby is in the womb, the blood supply is from the mother and the circulation goes through the umbilical cord. Once he is born, there are some vessels that are closed, and others that are opened for the first time. Although most babies goes to this change quite good and immediate, some babies takes more time than others. So, Nic must be one that took his time ... again!
Praise God for the great news!! No surgery, no more extreme drama, although we were still concerned for his health and recovery. But after a few days, the doctors were able to take O2 and antibiotics of slowly and finally he was off the hook, just a monitor for blood pressure, O2 and heart beat. Nic was gaining his strength again, as he started to nurse regularly.
6 days in Auckland Hospital!! The hospital is big, 10 stories to the old building, and others were a 6-9 stories, and there were many, many wings attached, creating a clustered medical complex. The first day we didn't go outside of the building, everything was there, cafeteria, indoor playground, and besides, we didn't feel going anywhere. The following days were getting more stressful for us and Will, so we decided to go and see what's outside. Will enjoyed his bus ride around Central Auckland, shouting "Bus! Bus!" and "Truck! Truck!" over and over. He even made some new friends there who were visiting their brothers.
Attached to the hospital is an area called Ronal McDonald House. This area is designated for families who live outside of Auckland visiting families. The waiting list is long, but fortunately there was a room emply for us to stay. This place is built on charity and donations, separate from McDonald's restaurant chain, and we are truely grateful for this House.
Finally on Wednesday afternoon, we were informed that Nic has recovered well enough to go back home the following morning at 8.30 am. I booked the earliest flight to Palmerston North (as I left the car there) and should arrive in Wanganui almost the same time Erika and Nic arrived.
So now we're all back home. Erika and Nic still has to stay one night in the hospital tonight, and there will be some check-ups for the next weeks.
It was a relief for everybody that everything went well, and prooves that He will never give us burden more than we can handle, and with continuous prayer He will answer.
This verse was given by our Pastor:
II Corinthians 1: 3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
After posting the blog, I recieved a call from Erika at 5 pm, that Nic had some heart problems and had to be flown to Auckland Hospital that evening. The symptoms was his skin is blue, due to lack of oxygen in the blood. The early diagnosis from the doctor in Wanganui said it might be that the arteri to the lung went back to the lung, and the arteri to the body went back to the body, not picking up O2 from the lungs. What kept Nic well during this time is the amount of Haemoglobin in babies blood carrying O2 and a valve between these arteries providing minimum transfer of blood. Nic had to be flown to Auckland becuase they had the proper instruments to make a better diagnosis and scan, and possibly an operation.
The Neonatal ward of Wellington Hospital, the closest hospital to Wanganui, was close due to a rare deadly lung infection which already took the lives of 3 premature babies and many other were infected. The whole ward was closed and quarrantined. So Auckland Hospital was our only choise. A medical team from Wellington was assemblied and was sent by plane to Wanganui to deliver Nic and Erika, their departure time was 8.30 pm. Families and close friends were notified at once, asking their support and prayer.
When Will and I arrived at the hospital, we decided that we will all go to Auckland as well, as the burden would be to much for Erika to handle on her own and we didn't want to leave Will alone for 5-7 days, as they predicted for treatment. So, once the plan was settled, I booked the next plane to Auckland, which departed from Palmerston North (1 hour drive from Wanganui).
The plane departed at 10pm and arrived in Auckland at 11 pm, and we jumped on the first taxi I saw to Auckland Hospital. This is my second time I've been to Auckland, and I didn't have a clue where is where. Once I arrived, I asked whether Erika and Nic has arrived, and the people at PICU (Pedeatrician Intensive Care Unit) said that they haven't arrived yet, and have no idea what's delaying them. They provided a family room for us to rest and would notify us once Erika and Nic came.
I was awoken at 2am, saying that Erika and Nic arrived. Nic was immediately checked and connected to machines that monitored his blood pressure, O2, heart beat, etc. When I asked what caused the delay, Erika said that when they wanted to transfer Nic, his blood pressure dropped, so they had to wait untill he was stabilised.
The nurses there were very friendly, and they gave us a room to rest, where normally Will and I would have to find our own accomodation. The doctors were planning to have a ECHO scan (well, it sounds like it), a special scan for the heart and some x-rays to make the next move.
Later on that morning, we were informed that the previous diagnosis was wrong, and the real reason was the narrow blood vessel to the body, a premature valve in the heart and a weak mussle on the left side of the heart. All these are ussually found in a premature baby and it is caused due to the change of blood circulation when the baby was in the womb, and when the baby is self supported by his own breath. While the baby is in the womb, the blood supply is from the mother and the circulation goes through the umbilical cord. Once he is born, there are some vessels that are closed, and others that are opened for the first time. Although most babies goes to this change quite good and immediate, some babies takes more time than others. So, Nic must be one that took his time ... again!
Praise God for the great news!! No surgery, no more extreme drama, although we were still concerned for his health and recovery. But after a few days, the doctors were able to take O2 and antibiotics of slowly and finally he was off the hook, just a monitor for blood pressure, O2 and heart beat. Nic was gaining his strength again, as he started to nurse regularly.
6 days in Auckland Hospital!! The hospital is big, 10 stories to the old building, and others were a 6-9 stories, and there were many, many wings attached, creating a clustered medical complex. The first day we didn't go outside of the building, everything was there, cafeteria, indoor playground, and besides, we didn't feel going anywhere. The following days were getting more stressful for us and Will, so we decided to go and see what's outside. Will enjoyed his bus ride around Central Auckland, shouting "Bus! Bus!" and "Truck! Truck!" over and over. He even made some new friends there who were visiting their brothers.
Attached to the hospital is an area called Ronal McDonald House. This area is designated for families who live outside of Auckland visiting families. The waiting list is long, but fortunately there was a room emply for us to stay. This place is built on charity and donations, separate from McDonald's restaurant chain, and we are truely grateful for this House.
Finally on Wednesday afternoon, we were informed that Nic has recovered well enough to go back home the following morning at 8.30 am. I booked the earliest flight to Palmerston North (as I left the car there) and should arrive in Wanganui almost the same time Erika and Nic arrived.
So now we're all back home. Erika and Nic still has to stay one night in the hospital tonight, and there will be some check-ups for the next weeks.
It was a relief for everybody that everything went well, and prooves that He will never give us burden more than we can handle, and with continuous prayer He will answer.
This verse was given by our Pastor:
II Corinthians 1: 3-4
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
:: posted by erika, 5:38 PM
