Kellie's Facebook Post

I should have posted this long ago but have been slacking a lot so I apologize.  Things are staying calm right now she is still doing therapy three times a week and we don't have any updates on what is to come yet they just want her body to keep recovering as much as it can with what they have done so far.

Kellie posted on Facebook about what happened and explains things really well so for any of you that don't have it here is her post:

On Wednesday, September 24 we welcomed our third baby girl, Mila (mee-la) to our family. The labor was short, easy and smooth. She weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 20 inches long. She is healthy, beautiful and has a full head of dark hair.
Four days after her birth (three weeks ago tonight -- 9/28), a major artery of my heart dissected (tore) resulting in a heart attack. I was rushed to a local hospital and then air lifted to the U of U Hospital in SLC. My condition is Spontaneous Coronary Heart Dissection (SCAD) and was likely a result of pregnancy. It is speculated that the combination of increased blood flow, thinner veins and arteries and post partum hormones created the perfect storm inside my heart. This condition is RARE and there are 160 reported cases since 1931 (a quick google search of "SCAD and pregnancy" will give you all the detail you never knew you wanted to know).

Over the course of the next week, a temporary heart pump was placed through my left femoral artery (groin) [Tuesday -- 9/30], two more arteries dissected, which caused another heart attack and resulted in another surgery to place two stents in my heart and a second temporary pump in my right femoral artery [Thursday -- 10/2].
The pumps that were helping my heart were slowly turned down and on Tuesday (10/7) the pump in my left groin was removed. Unfortunately, a blood clot had formed in my artery. I went in for 4 hours of surgery to remove the clot. At the same time, the second pump was removed which was originally planned to occur a day or two after the removal of the first pump, but given the clot the doctors felt this was the best course of action.
I was slowly weaned off of other IV medications that were helping my heart and on Tuesday (10/14), Jason drove me home after two and a half weeks in the hospital.
We feel extremely blessed to be where we are today. I am on several medications, have strict physical restrictions and multiple weekly appointments to monitor my progress. The hope is my heart will recover enough to be managed with medication, diet and exercise. Modern medicine is amazing and if I don't heal enough there are other options that will treat my condition (heart failure). These options range from internal pace makers to LVADs and heart transplants.
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that we have received from family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and people we don't even know. The prayers, fasting, well wishes and positive thoughts have absolutely helped us get where we are today. Jason and I believe that hope inspires when life's storms beat upon us and we are grateful for every victory we receive no matter how small. We will continually be paying forward the generous acts of kindness we have received during this time and thank you for all you have done for our family.

She also posted this a couple days ago:

The first two weeks of October I told myself I would be home by November 1st. And look at me now, on the couch with this lovely lady. Life is good!

When she starts getting tests done or any other decisions are made I will start posting more but for now it has been very quiet and nice for her to be home with her family. 

October 16, 2014- I'm Coming Home

 

"I'm coming home

I'm coming home

Tell the world I'm coming home"

 

I'm a couple days behind but I'm sure you already know what this post is about, Kellie is home!!

She got home Tuesday late afternoon and by that time she was exhausted from all the doctors signing off, giving instructions, and setting up future appointments.  I know she has been resting a lot because even though she is home she can't do normal day tasks but she does get to see and watch her kids when she wants now. 

Yesterday she went to her first cardio therapy appointment and did some walking, and riding the bike for 15 minutes I think is what Heidi told me.  She was VERY tired after that and is having Heidi and I keep Mila for the time being so she can regain her strength and get all the rest she needs to keep her heart healing.

They will continue to do blood work and monitor her as well as start doing other tests to see if her heart function is improving to see if any other action will need to be taken in years to come.  So just from the beginning it is still a wait and see type of situation.

 

 

This little lady is 3 weeks old now! Don't you want to just pinch her cheeks?!  She is getting a lot better at night, still has her times she loves being held only, still does great at pooping (especially when Heidi has her :) and is starting to crack a few smiles we haven't caught one on camera yet!

 

 

I have never got to spend a lot of time with little Ev cause I had Zola 6 months after she was born but when we were getting their pictures done with Mila she was being my little buddy.  She has quite the spunky personality and holds her own :)

 

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Some of the cousins hanging out during lunch time at grandmas during the 1st week of this crazy roller coaster ride

 

I will try to keep updating as much as possible but won't have a lot to say until tests start and when they make some decisions which would be weeks or months away.  Thanks again for everything and continue the prayers I know it's not as scary now but there is still a lot more obstacles to get through and we will need just as much support then than we needed at the beginning!.

 

 

October 13, 2014- Stars Can't Shine Without Darkness

I know I haven't been good at posting this weekend but it's because things have been really good and stable so I don't get any updates really to relay to anyone. 

Heidi and I went in to see Kel on Saturday with Mila.  She was in bed but when we walked in jumped up and got right in her chair to hold Mila.  She moved so fast I almost missed it all and didn't expect her to be moving so fast.  We sat and talked for awhile, laughed, and Kellie educated Heidi and I about things we weren't too clear on.  It's amazing to me how much she remembers and actually knows of what went on.  I did learn she got two new tears that Tuesday when she had another heart attack and that is why when they put the stents in two worked but one didn't take.  If I had known more about it I would have caught on to that meaning she had three tears now.  The doctors said it would be okay that the one didn't take because a lot of times your body and other parts of your heart can figure out how to get what needs to go to that part of the heart.  Isn't that amazing?

J came shortly after we were there and joined in on our conversations saying Kellie has a few years on him after this because it took it's toll on him :) At one point we were laughing so hard I was thinking this has to be good on her heart :) She also told us that when she was out walking the halls one of the doctors that was working on her the first few days she was in the ICU was there and she said "hi" to him and she said she could tell he was looking at her like who are you?  And she goes "it's me Kellie".  She said his face was in complete shock that she was out walking around like nothing had happened.  Hearing that shows how amazing it is where she is at right now.

Today my husband Shea went up to see her on his lunch break and she told him she had done two 1/3 mile walks and would do one more this evening to reach one mile!  Like I said my sister is a rockstar! She is so determined and isn't going to give up or miss a beat to get right back to where she was before. 

The only kind of update I have, is they are determining when they think she can come home! :)

To sum up this post my quote does have a meaning to it for me at least. 
First off, my sister is one of the brightest stars I have met.  I knew it already but now having this small dark time she has become even brighter in my sky than I ever thought. 
Second, everyone around my family.  We have said thank you a million times and will continue to thank you all.  People have been so supportive and helpful that  you guys have added to our sky of stars and we will never forget you and what you have done for us all.  So continue to shine bright and just remember at times of darkness you will shine brighter than before.

October 10, 2014

There isn't a lot to write today because things are still going great! Kel got to see two special little girls it's been almost two weeks since she has seen them.  I wasn't there I have my little friend for the weekend :) But my dad was able to send me a couple pictures of this happy reunion!

 

enjoy :) I know they will bring a smile to everyone's faces!

October 9, 2014

So basically my sister is a rockstar!  She is doing awesome and even walked 15 yards today!  My Dad emailed last night and said all her "hardware" is out according to how the nurses put it.  She showered and was able to sit in a chair.  If you haven't noticed she has been laying flat for a week and a half now so this is a huge step and probably feels so good for her!  She had told my mom over the weekend that she had a plan and it was she needed to eat to gain more strength so she could get out of there sooner than later.  If you know my sister that shouldn't shock you.  Out of all of us siblings she is the one always going to the gym and eating healthy and I feel like makes things I have never even heard of (because they are healthy :)  They talked to a doctor about what the next steps were and he said they will get her on medication to regulate the heart.  Kellie is in great spirits and of course is very positive. 

 

Mila went and visited last night as well and Kellie got to actually hold her.  And as you can see she is sitting up like I said she is awesome!

 

 

October 8th, 2014

I had a busy night last night so sorry I didn't do an update.  I had work and then picked up Mila for the night so when I got home I had miss Mila to get ready for bed :)  All I can say is this week has been SO much better than I expected which I am so grateful for!  My nights with Mila are just like they were with Zola.  I would watch an episode of Private Practice then go back to bed.  So with Mila it's Pretty Little Liars, probably not the best middle of the night show if you watch it you probably know why it can cause you to be a little jumpy :)  J sent me a update and message last night from what happened yesterday so I will finally get to the updates you are dying to read!

Today was an action packed day but good.  Here is the latest:

Today they successfully removed the impella pump from Kellie's left leg.  Following the pump removal she had blood clots in her femoral artery that was restricting flow from her left thigh to her toes.  Four hours of surgery later they restored flow and also removed the balloon pump (#2).  She is now pump free and her stats are currently stable.

In true Kellie style she was able to get local anesthesia instead of being put all the way out.  She is awake, sharp and ready for a good nights sleep.

If her stats hold tonight and no further issues arise they will have her sit up for the first time tomorrow and she will be able to bend her legs.  We are hoping for more boring days for the rest of the week.

One more step forward that we are so blessed to take.  The power of prayer and a mother's will is truly amazing.  Please help us keep up the prayers and let's get this mama home :)

Thanks for your love and support,
Jason and Kellie

This morning has been a little crazy at my house well I guess now it's almost afternoon.  This little lady wants to be held after sleeping so good for her aunt Jod last night :)

 

 

Isn't she the cutest?  She is also now Two weeks old!  Did great getting her pku at the doctor the other day and is almost back to her birth weight.  So growing like a champ!

 

It's a little hard to tell but she has forehead fuzz that is so cute!  Defiantly has her moms hair!

 

 

I got a text from my mom just now since she is up with Kellie while J gets some rest and she said that they have taken out what they call the swan (tube that went in her neck and down to her heart) she still has the catheter in her neck, but not as much hooked and hanging from it.  They sat her up in the bed and let her legs hang, she got a little light headed so she didn't go to the chair.  She is rest after those big steps today and it is only getting better from here!

October 6, 2014

Fortunately we had a non eventful weekend which gave Kellie's heart a chance to rest which is just what it needed.  The doctors have still been reducing medication and pump dependency and in doing so her heart is performing well.  If all goes to plan, they will remove one of the two heart pumps tomorrow morning then monitor her longer.  If her heart isn't too weak without the pumps she might make it out of the hospital without open heart surgery and a heart pump.  Praying and hoping that is the outcome!

From J:
We are so grateful to be surrounded by so many amazing people helping us through this!  We can't say it enough Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!

Remember to keep Kel in your prayers tomorrow that taking out the pump will go smoothly and her heart will remain to gain strength without it.  This is another chance to make another miracle happen!