Posted: 05-04-2025
Dr. Ungerlieder, Dallas’s heart surgeon, came by to check in on her and to remove her heart drain line. He mentioned that today might be her sorest day post-surgery, similar to how you feel a couple of days after an injury. Overall, Dallas seemed much more alert than yesterday. She’s still struggling to visually track, and responding with her eyes continues to be difficult and tiring.
Her post-surgery echocardiogram today revealed the possibility of a “fibrous sheath,” a layer of fibrous tissue that can form around indwelling catheters. This may have developed as her body’s natural response to a foreign object. These sheaths can sometimes be absorbed by the body, but they may also indicate or cause blood clots. Without directly “seeing it”, there’s no way to be certain. As a precaution, the team has started Dallas on medication to help break down any potential clot.
She has also had some abdominal distention and signs of pneumatosis, which is gas within the intestinal walls. This raised concern for the possibility of Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). In response, she is currently on day 4 of 7 of bowel rest, which means no oral medications or feedings through her NG tube. Because of this, the tube was removed this morning, offering her a bit more comfort, at least for a few days. She remains on a broad spectrum of antibiotics and is undergoing daily x-rays and blood tests to closely monitor her progress.
Dallas has been through so much since all of this began, and we’re doing our best to focus on the positives, even as we face these two new and potentially serious challenges. On a hopeful note, once a bed becomes available on the main children’s floor, she will be moved out of the PICU. Our goal is to move steadily through the next few days, manage these new concerns as calmly as possible, and return to the healing and recovery she so deeply needs.
“Troubles will come, and they will pass.” — Lynyrd Skynyrd, “Simple Man”
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Her sweet face in today’s picture. Can see her beautiful eyes.
She us such a warrior, but must be difficult for her to understand all that’s occurring. She has her mommas smile and poppa strength to trust in..and so many people are praying for her. Glad she will be leaving picu to a regular room.
Hope you all are taking care of each other, eating, caregivers need to care for themselves.
Sending love, gentle hugs and soft butterfly kisses. Aunt Grace and family.
Stay strong Brett and Heather. Extra prayers for you tonight.
I wish I could take away all your pain and see dallas healthy and happy immediately. Sending lots of prayers and strength to see you through all this. You are not alone. Lots of love. Kathy
Sending continual prayers for your strength, faith and comfort as this brave little one fights through all these attacks on her body. It’s amazing what the body can do , what faith and prayer can do, and how important to her that daddy and mommy continue to smile at her and engage positively with her. As she becomes more aware, she’ll take cues from your demeanor. She’s so lucky to have you both. I hope you get uninterrupted rest tonight!!!
Love and strength to you all. I agree with Aunt Grace, take good care of each other in order to take care of sweet Dallas. The Lord has you in His Hands!
Continued prayers and hoping this will all be over very soon!! It’ll be wonderful to see sweet Dallas feeling good again🤗
Stay strong!!! I love you guys!!!💝
💞🙏💞🙏💞🙏💞
Her light is shining through her eyes! I am so amazed at all you and Heather are handling with grace and love. I am praying for you all each day.
Continued Prayers for you all especially Dallas, she has shown herself as a fighter as the Angels surround her and guide over you all!