Finding Contentment

New diagnosis: better or worse?

My brother came over while I was watching his newborn today. He spent about 30 minutes holding her while I made him something to eat before he went back to the hospital. After running test after test today, the physicians have decided that my SIL Alisha, 26, does not have congestive heart failure but has ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome).

Not being familiar with the conidtion, I had to look it up. Here's what Wikipedia said:

"ARDS is a severe lung disease caused by a variety of direct and indirect insults. It is characterized by inflammation of the lung parenchyma leading to impaired gas exchange with concomitant systemic release of inflammatory mediators causing inflammation, hypoxemia and frequently resulting in multiple organ failure. This condition is life threatening and often lethal, usually requiring mechanical ventilation and admission to an intensive care unit."

"Often lethal."  Wow. Those are pretty scary words... Apparently, misdiagnosing ARDS with congestive heart failure is common. Here's what the ARDS Foundation has to say:

Are there other lung conditions that
can mimic ARDS?

Yes and this often is a challenge for the physician. Pneumonia (infection of the lung), when severe, can have a similar presentation to this syndrome. Congestive heart failure (caused by a decrease in the pumping strength of the heart) can be confused with ARDS due to a collection of fluid in the air sacs but without the alveolar damage caused by ARDS. These disorders require different treatments and therefore often further tests and diagnostic procedures are often needed to help the physician identify the condition causing the problem.

What can be done to treat the problem?

At the present time, no specific therapy exists to treat this disorder. The treatment is mainly supportive care in the intensive care unit. Many of the patients will require mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy.

Alisha has been on oxygen, and the physicians now have the ventilator doing only 50% of her breathing. As indicated above, there really isn't much they can do. They say the rest is up to her.

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06:37 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by Busia

What a beautiful picture above!

I know nothing of either condition, but I will be praying for your SIL and all of your family.

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10:22 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by Karen

I appreciate you keeping us informed of what's going on with your SIL. I continue to check to see what's happening.
How is her husband holding up? How are you doing with it all today?

May God Give You All Peace In This Situation,
Karen
http://thetagblog.blogspot.com/

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11:08 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by FoggyMountainFarm

I have never heard of ARDS. I pray she will be breathing on her on again and back home with that precious baby and her husband.

Thank you for posting an update on her.

So sorry...

11:36 PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2007 .. Posted by mulberrylane

Just breaks my heart. I will say a prayer for your brother and sil and for all of you, too. What a hard time!

Warmly,
Melissa

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12:30 AM, Wednesday, September 12, 2007 .. Posted by chimicole

Hugs and prayers...
Keep us updated, ok?

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10:53 PM, Wednesday, September 12, 2007 .. Posted by meme21713

Never stop praying,(which I'm sure you don't) God is awesome and hears all our prayers.. I baby is beautiful...Debbie p.s. please keep us posted..

Edited by meme21713 on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 09:54 PM

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12:47 PM, Thursday, September 13, 2007 .. Posted by HandsNHearts

I am relieved to see a definite diagnosis, but my heart breaks at the roadway ahead for your family. Prayers are certainly being lifted from all over.
That photo is beautiful; thank you for sharing and do keep up updated as you can.
Deanna

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06:00 PM, Thursday, September 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

That is so scary, especially right after having a baby and having someone so dependent on you and having a wonderful reason to live!! Praying that God, Our Great Physician, will touch her and show everyone that He is still in the miracle business!!!
Your Secret Sister

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07:19 PM, Thursday, September 13, 2007 .. Posted by Anonymous

Oh Barbara,
I am continuing to pray that the Lord would keep her here with us that He would continue to guide the Doctors caring for her, that He would put His hands upon her and restore her body. I know that all things are possible in Christ and with those that stand together in prayer.

Please pass onto your brother that we are praying and lifting him and his wife up to our Lord Father God!!!
God Bless,
Melissa D. SC