holding steady

hello everyone-
I know it has been a while, for right now nothing has really changed Bridger is still on the ventilator. They have been shutting it off for short periods of time to help build his endurance the last couple of days. The doctors are still adjusting his medications for sedation, pain control and fluid control. No one is quite sure why he got so sick so fast again other than the fact that he was extremely sick in the weeks before and maybe his body just wasn't ready to work so hard on its own yet. So right now the goal is still to have Bridger grow as much as possible before his next surgery. Thank you everyone again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Love Staci

Steady

This is a picture from last week before they put him back on the vent

Bridger is doing the same these day's. He is on the machines so he can get stronger. He's been trying to pull out his lines and tubes so they have had to sedate him more. He's uncomfortable but stable and that's all we can ask right now. If you have any more information, Staci, and have some time you can post the updates.

New Picutures

Christmas Eve update from Staci

Well Bridger is a little more stable than last night right now. They still have him somewhat sedated but not paralyzed right now. The plan for right now is to give Bridger's body a rest and keep him on the breathing machine for a bit, also he just needs to grow as much as possible so that for the next surgery he is a little stronger and his mitral valve is larger and more easy to work with. They just got done placing a central line in his right arm and hopefully that will hold out for a while-this way they don't have to poke him so often. So for now we just need to wait and give him time to rest and grow.
-----------Staci

Big changes

Well Bridger was having a rough day today that turned into an even rougher evening. He ended up crashing during the evening shift change and they had to put the breathing tube back in and paralyze and sedate him again. Earlier today the cardiologist spoke with me about the echo they performed yesterday and said that Bridger would in fact need more surgery to repair or replace the valve and right now the goal would be to get him strong enough to go home until the next surgery. We knew that this was very likely, but its hard to digest when its an absolute reality and even harder now that it looks as though the mitral valve is failing even more quickly. The medical team is going to try and keep him stable tonight and present him at the cardiac meeting in the morning. If I may make one request right now it is for no suprise visits, if you want to come by please leave Danny or myself a voicemail and we will let you know when might be a good time. The next few days will be critical again and we don't want to add any extra stress to ourselves or Bridger. Thank you again for all your prayers, thoughts and love. Leisa will continue to keep you updated for us.
Love Staci

Visitors Appreciated

I talked to Staci last night. She says Bridger is doing the same. She gets to sleep in a "pull out chair" right next to his bed so she doesn't have to leave him overnight. Stac doesn't get much sleep at night but has been able to catch naps during the day. They still like to have visitors during shift change, which is at 7pm and you can usually find Danny and Staci in the cafeteria or walking the halls. But after 8pm they put Bridger down for the night and that's when they like it to be quiet.

Bridger is a little fighter for sure. He has surpassed all expectations so far and will continue to do so. We keep praying for him to get better and come home. We love you Dan, Stac, and Bridger!

Bridger's doing well. The collapsed lung was not unexpected so the staff was right on top of it. He is about the same but he's feeling and looking a little better. The pictures above and below are from today. Thanks Papa for sending them my way so I could post them.





Leisa

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Yesterday Bridger's left lung collapsed. They put him on a CPAC (breathing support) to help inflate the lung. It's not quite like going back to the ventilator but it still helps him breathe. They are do breathing treatments every few hours. This morning his lung was up a little so we keep praying and putting all our faith in the doctors in the PICU that Bridger can make it over this "bump in the road".

On a good note, yesterday Staci got to hold Bridger for the first time since he entered the hospital over 2 weeks ago. Bet she was pretty happy about that! I'll keep you posted about Bridger's condition as I get the information.

Leisa

Changes

Today the doctors took Bridger off his ventilator. They also took out one of his three central lines (that is how they give him his meds) which is a good thing. This is pretty big. The staff wants to start getting him used to life without outside help. Bridger was uncomfortable today though. His throat is probably raw from the ventilator and they have to switch his pain medication around so he doesn't get used to just one kind. Stay tough Bridger. We're all rooting for you.

Between all your prayers and the staff at Primary Children's Hospital PICU Bridger is getting all the help that he can. Thanks again for your support. Stay tuned...

Bridger is still holding steady today. "Stable" is a word that has been used to describe his condition. His big blue eye's are alert and taking everything in. He is still getting help breathing, and still on plenty of meds but things seem to be progressing.

If anyone has an interest in visiting Danny and Staci at the hospital you can call either one of their cell phones and leave a message. They check messages daily during shift change and can get back to you when able and let you know a good time and day. This is probably the best way to get in touch with them. But if you just want to leave a comment or message that doesn't need answering then you can leave it here on the blog comment section. They receive those messages daily as well.

Thanks for your continued thoughts and concerns. Keep praying to what ever higher power you believe in for Bridger and his parents to stay strong enough to endure what lies ahead.

And if anyone has pictures of Bridger since he's been in the hospital, send them my way and I can post them to the blog. leisatre@msn.com

Big Blue Eye's

Nana and Papa just called me to let me know what is what at the hospital. When they showed up Bridger was very awake with those big blue eye's checking everything out. Nana said it was SO great to see him calm and awake today. Danny and Staci also look more rested and happier which makes Nana happy too. Staci is still staying at the hospital 24/7 although I can't blame her.

The doctors are alternating Bridger's medications. They're changing them up a little. There is still not a lot of change. If he's not getting worse then he must be trying to get better, right? Life is fragile, but Bridger is strong. He has to be...he's a product of Danny and Staci Smith!

A Long Road

Some of you have been wondering what the progress is with Bridger (okay, probably all of you). There really is no change right now. It's going to be a long road for the little guy, but things are holding steady as of today. If there is a lapse on posts then it usually means there is no change. Any little (or big) event will be posted as we come by the information.

Jeremy (Danny's brother) did get to see Bridger yesterday and he said that he looks really well. He has good color and was getting feisty. The days proceeding surgery are tough for him, but the doctors will keep him as comfortable as possible.

In the meantime, we'll keep the Smith's in our thoughts and prayers and hope for a fast recovery. Hope, by definition, means to wish for something with expectation of it's fulfillment. I will keep hope in my heart as Bridger keeps fighting his fight.

Leisa

Update!

Today Bridger pooped and is peeing a little more, which means his bowel's are working, and this is a very important thing. His doctors also decided to go ahead and close up his chest this afternoon. He did well during the procedure, and is now being monitored to see how his body responds to being all closed up. He is such a fighter, I think we are all just blown away at the will this little man has! Stay strong Baby Bridger! We all love you so much. Keep on the baby steps trail, and we'll all keep praying for the path to get easier for you. We all love you Staci and Danny, and a special thanks to Bridger's grandparents. All of your support is appreciated so much.

Monday Dec 8

Well Bridger made it through another night without ECMO. They tried to wake him a little this morning, but he did not tolerate that well and they paralyzed him again. They continue to try and reduce the swelling in increase his blood. We are going to take everything very slow and see if he can handle the huge changes his body has gone through.

Sunday's Surgery

According to Bridger's surgeon's, his surgery went well. They were able to repair his aortic arch, and do an extensive repair on his mitral valve. His blood is able to move somewhat easier now. He is still on the vent, but has not been put on the ecmo machine as of yet. He is being watched very closely right now, and is trying to get strong enough for whatever lies ahead. We will post more information as it becomes available. Thank-you all so much for all your love and support. And to Staci, Danny, and Bridger, WE ALL LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH!

Hello everyone. Because of the sensitive nature of Bridger's surgery tomorrow, Danny and Staci have asked that everyone wait to visit the hospital until more is known about Bridger's condition. Please see Staci's letter below. Thank-you all so much for your continued support and prayers.

Letter From Staci

Bridger had a cardiac cath procedure today to find out what is making him so sick. He wasn't as stable as they would have liked but they didn't think they could wait any longer. The cath showed what we had feared and that was that his mitral valve is too small and stenotic-that means that the blood cannot get through to oxygenate other parts of his body. Of all of the things they could have found this is probably one of the hardest to fix, plus his lungs have gotten so sick that makes it even worse. So we have three options-two resulting in imminent death and the last with less than a 50% chance of survival. So Bridger will be going into surgery tomorrow (Sunday) to try and repair his mitral valve and aortic arch which might be able to buy him some time in order to grow until he could tolerate more intervention. We just need him stay where he is at right now and build whatever strength he can for the surgery. If he makes it through surgery he will likely come out on ecmo( a machine to run his heart and lungs for a time so they can rest) usually that time period is about a week and depending on how he responds we make decisions from there. I thought I would post this myself so that everyone would know exactly what we are up against. It is good that he survived the cath and so I continue to pray that he will have the same strength and will to endure what is to come. Thank you for all your love and support.

Here is the latest update on Bridger, as of Friday afternoon. Last night he had a little hiccup with his lungs, but Nurse Beth and the Doctor were right on top of it. They had to stop two of the meds he was on for reducing the pressure in his lungs and his heart. The drugs were working a little to well for his little system. Staci says, "we lost a little ground but we're back where we were yesterday morning." Bridger's doctors have decided to go forward with the heart catheter either today or tomorrow. Thanks to everyone for all their thoughts and prayers! And a special thanks to all the doctors and nurses up at Primary's! We love you all!

Bridger's a Ute fan already!

I talked to Staci this morning. She said they had another quiet night, which is good. Things are holding steady at this point. She also said if people want to come up to see Bridger for a few minutes at a time then that is okay. Remember, no kids or anyone that is sick or been around anyone that is sick. But he'd love to hear from you if he's not sleeping.

Thanks to everyone that has sent pictures. I have several now to post. Don't you just love how cute he is?

Remember to leave your comments.

The latest update

Bridger is not a little devil, but he sure is giving every one a hard time!

Below is an email from Heather (Danny's sister) and is the latest information we have:

"Hey Leisa, I just got off the phone with my mom, and here's the latest on Bridger. The doctors met today and will not be doing the heart catheter tomorrow. They think he has viral pneumonia (I don't know exactly what that means) so they are treating him for that, and today they will be doing piggyback doses of hypertension medications along with echo's to see which medication is working the best for his hypertension. His tests are now coming back negative for staph which is good news, but they are watching it still to see if anything grows [on the cultures] in the next few days. He is still fighting away, and Danny and Staci are still wanting to be there with him pretty much 24/7. I think things are going well, just slow. It's going to take a lot of baby steps to get him well. Baby Steps being the key word. Hopefully there will be more info tonight or tomorrow."

I need pictures!

If anyone has pictures of Bridger send them my way. I don't have any recent one's and would love to post several more on the blog.

www.leisatre@msn.com

Thanks!

Good news, bad news

Good News:

• Bridger had a better night Monday night than Sunday night
• The doctors have put off the heart catheter until Thursday (don't ask me, but I guess that's a good thing)
• Bridger has two loving hard working parents, and several grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. rooting for him
• He has not had any more seizures...just the one on Sunday
• The doctors are slowing down the dosage of the paralytic (a medicine that paralyzes all muscles) so he can wake up a little
• They are putting in a feeding tube, which is great because he hasn't had any food this whole time (just IVs)
• As of now his little heart is still holding it's own and not failing like it tried to do Sunday

Bad News:

• Bridger is still not breathing on his own
• He is still in the PICU and will be until they can figure this mess out
• Staci has put off going back to work to be with her baby 24/7
• The doctors have several thoughts on what is making him so sick, but really, there are no cut and dry answers
• Cristy, Todd, Jeanne, JP, Staci, and Danny have had no real sleep in the past 60 hours or so

So, we wait and we pray and that is all we can do for the moment. I'll be asking Staci if there is anything she needs right now and then let you know.

A quick re-cap

For those who don't know Bridger was taken to the Emergency Room on Sunday morning. He was blue (not breathing well) and rushed into Primary Children's ER.

While in the ER he stopped breathing and had to be intubated. He also had a seizure while in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit). Doctors are still trying to figure out what is wrong. They do know that there is a possible infection (maybe staph?) and are treating it with several antibiotics.

Sunday was pretty touch and go and scary for all. Bridger is now stable and still in PICU but being watched over by multiple doctors, nurses, and loving family members.

Last night was a good night considering. He is surviving and fighting. He will be in all our prayers and thoughts. Now it's up to the doctors to figure this one out.

Please comment if you have any questions or thoughts. Danny and Staci are stretched thin and can barely eat let alone answer texts, emails, or phone calls. They love you but need to focus every ounce on their baby. It is also asked that no kids come to the hospital even if it's just in the waiting area. Bridger is a sick little boy and needs all the help he can get right now.

Welcome! We've started this blog to update everyone on Bridger's progress. Sometimes it's really tough to answer every one's questions through texting, phone calls, and emails while dealing with the stresses of doctors and hospitals. With this blog we can post what is happening when it happens and you can access the information whenever you want.

As we get information we'll post what we can. Staci and Danny can post too, but probably won't anytime soon. If you can send any pictures or stories of Bridger to www.leisatre@msn.com I can post those too. If you get updates from the parents or grandparents that is not yet posted email that to me too.

Please feel free to leave comments! We love to hear from everyone. We also love and appreciate your concerns and prayers. We'd like to give a special thank you to Danny's parents and Staci's parents. You've been there as a constant that Bridger, Danny and Staci can count on. Thanks!

Bridger is fighting a tough battle and will give his parents premature grey hair before he's done! Here's to a quick recovery...