Dianna's Funeral Arrangements

Visitation: Thursday September 3, 2009
6:30PM-8:30PM
First Baptist Church Lewisville TX
1251 W.Valley Ridge Blvd
Lewisville TX 75077

Funeral Service: Friday September 4th, 2009
10:00AM
First Baptist Church Lewisville TX
1251 W. Valley Ridge Blvd
Lewisville , TX 75077


Burial Service: Friday September 4th, 2009
3:00PM
Ryan Cemetery
Ryan Oklahoma 73565

Dianna's an Angel-- 9-01-09

Dear Friends of Dianna,

I have sad news to deliver. This morning Dianna passed away after a long courageous battle with Fanconi Anemia. I will send out visitation and funeral service information tomorrow (tentatively scheduled for Thursday night and Friday morning in Lewisville , TX ).

Nannette, Bret, and family have endured great hardship during the past year and many have asked how they can help. To support them during this time of need we are setting up the “Friends of Dianna” fund. This bank account will be used to assist the family with expenses during this difficult time. Should you like to contribute, you can send a check payable to “Friends of Dianna”. The contributions should be sent to either myself or Pat Kempf at the addresses below.

Dianna’s fight was epic. She has been, is, and will always be an inspiration to all of us.

Phil

Phil Hultquist
5712 Texas Trail
Colleyville, TX 76034
312-560-0418

Pat Kempf
c/o Moroch Partners
3625 N. Hall
11th Floor
Dallas, TX 75219

Day + 333

Dianna had a good week, except for issues from withdraw...
The doctors are weaning Dianna off the pain/sedation medications,
but she is having withdraw from being on so much medication for so long. :-(
The doctors have given her methadone to help,
but she is still having shakes, fever, upset stomach (poor baby!)
It looks like Dianna is getting close to a removal of the ventilator tube.
(It may be not work, but I hope that the doctors will at least let her try to breathe on her own.)
Thanks again for ALL the prayers!!!

Day + 326

Wednesday--
The "new" dialysis site (fistula) works great! :-)
Thursday--
Dianna did have an infection in the "old" dialysis line.
(That IS what was causing the fever.) :-(
Friday--
Dianna had dialysis in the morning, then...
Another SURGERY to insert a "pick line" into her right arm.
After she was back into her room and the nurses made sure the pick line worked...
they removed the old dialysis line and the art line.
Due to the infection the doctors had to increase the rates on Dianna's ventilator. :-(
(Yes-- Dianna is still on the ventilator.)
This weekend they're working on weaning her back down to a lower setting.
Please pray for no more infections and getting off the ventilator.
Thank you for ALL the prayers!!!

Day + 322

Tuesday:
The doctors took Dianna off the CVVH (dialysis machine)...
they want to try her new graft on the "regular" dialysis machine on Wednesday.
If the new graft works...
they will take out the old "temporary line" which is good
(one less area for infections).
ALSO--
Dianna is NOW on such a low setting on the ventilator...
the doctors are going to try to take her off the vent in the next day or two! :-)
Dianna did have a little fever today...
please pray that she does not have an infection.

Day + 319

Dianna is the "Come Back Kid"- AGAIN! :-)
She is amazing the doctors again...
This morning the nurse was able to turn OFF the last of the blood pressure medications!
She had been on three different medications at one time just to keep her pressures up.
The ICU doctor said-- "I wish that I could say it was something that I did."
**But we know that it was something God did!**
(and maybe a little of Dianna's stubbornness-- "I'll show you!") :-)
She is still off the oscillator, but not off the ventilator.
THANK YOU for all the prayers!!!!!
Please keep praying that Dianna continues to improve and that she does NOT get an infection.
(Dianna's body is so weak at this time, but she is still fighting.)

Day + 316

Today was NOT a good day...
We had a "Care Conference" with Dianna's doctors-
to see if all the doctors are on the same page with Dianna's care.
The three doctors that were in the room all said that they felt that there is nothing more they know to do to help Dianna.
She is not getting any better-
her blood pressure is unstable even with high doses of blood pressure medications
and they have not been able to take off enough fluid with the dialysis machine.
Each day she ends up being positive fluid for the day.
The doctors feel that her veins may be leaking fluid into her body tissue. ???
She does not have an infection, but she is not getting better.
Her hematologist said that the bone marrow transplant was successful,
but that she still needs transfusions due to being so sick from the kidney failure.
I think that Dianna is getting tired of hurting and fighting.
Her body is very weak, but she is still fighting.
*I do not want her to suffer!*
*God, please take care of my baby!*

Day + 312

Good News! :-)
Dianna is OFF the oscillator and back on the ventilator...
doctors are still running blood gases to be sure the her oxygen & CO2 stay at good levels.
She is still having issues with her blood pressure, but I hope that gets better soon.
*Dianna (& Mom) need MORE GOOD DAYS!* :-)

Day + 308

Dianna had a better day today. :-)
Dianna's blood pressure was better and the nurses were able to reduce some of the blood pressure meds.
She did have an issue with pain late afternoon, but we found that it was from an IV site.
The nurse switched the iv medication to another location and so far Dianna seems to be feeling better.
PRAY for more good days! :-)

Day + 307

Today did not go to well...
The doctor tried to switch Dianna from the oscillator back to the ventilator-
But, she could not take deep/large enough breathes to get the oxygen she needed on the regular vent.
(Her chest was too stiff--??-- Now WHAT??)
Also, as the RT was about to try to switch Dianna- she unplugged the wrong machine!
She unplugged the CVVH (dialysis) machine! :-(
And the Oscillator!
Which caused Dianna's blood pressure to drop...
This was very scary.
SO-- Dianna is STILL on the oscillator. :-(
Still on several IV med's to keep her blood pressure up. :-(

Day + 305

Dianna had a better day today.
Thank you for all the prayers!
Dianna had her eyes open most of the day. :-)
She still can not talk or move her body due to the oscillator,
but she was trying.
(She is such a fighter!)
I am praying that she continues to improve and
will be able to switch back to the regular ventilator soon.
Also- that Dianna does not get another infection...
this would be very bad as weak as she is now.

Day + 302

Today was NOT a good day!
This morning Dianna had a "Code Blue"--
she stopped breathing and her heart stopped for a couple of minutes.

I was upstairs getting ready to come down to check on Dianna...
(during shift change- no one can go in or out of the ICU from 6:45-8:00)
About 7:55AM- I got a call from one of the nurses asking me to come down right now.
I could tell by the tone of her voice that it was not good.
Then I walked through the double doors of the ICU- I could see the crash cart in front of Dianna's room and a few nurses were standing there crying, saying to me "I am so sorry."
(I thought that Dianna was dead!)
Then I walked into her room it was full of doctors and nurses working on Dianna!
The ICU Doctor that was in charge called me over to her bed-
Everyone had to move around to let me through the crowd.
The doctor said that he got her back after just a couple of minutes.
He said that her breathing tube had gotten kinked, so she stopped breathing and her heart stopped.
Due to the stress on her body from this-
Dianna had to have large doses of Epi & NorEpi most of the day.
The doctors were not sure if she would make it through the day.
BUT- Dianna is doing a little better tonight-
the nurses have been able to reduce the amount of medication to keep her blood pressure up.
PLEASE PRAY that Dianna will pull through this.
She has been such a fighter!

Day + 302

Day + 288

Dianna had another setback on Wednesday...
She had to be put back on the oscillator to help her breath. :-(
This also means that she must have medication that paralyzes her body-
so she does not fight the machine helping her breath.
Dianna had too much fluid in her body and this was putting too much pressure on her lungs.
She was not getting enough oxygen in her body, so the CO2 level was rising.
Dianna was off all her IV drips, but now she is back on several again. :-(
She had dialysis Wednesday, but it was not enough to help her breathing--
today Dianna will have dialysis again.
Dianna is still running a fever. (???)
The doctors have run many, many tests but so far nothing found as to what is causing the fevers.
Please pray that Dianna will not need to be on the oscillator for a long period of time...
that she will not loose the strength that she has gained the past few weeks from physical therapy.
Also- that the fevers will stop and the skin on her leg will continue to heal.
THANK YOU!!!

Day + 280

This week Dianna is doing OK,
but can not get rid of a fever.
The fever stays around 99.5 to 102.
The doctors have run many tests-
but so far have not found what is causing the fever.
She is on several different antibiotics (???)
I am praying that the doctors find what is causing the fever &/or
the antibiotics work to get rid of the cause for the fever.

Day + 274

Tuesday-
The nurses got Dianna into a reclining chair! :-)
(The only down side was that Dianna thought that she would be able to go for a ride out of her room-- but she can not with the ventilator still attached.)
Wednesday-
Dianna had a surgery to clean/switch out the old temporary dialysis line in her right thigh.
(She had an infection in the plastic line and the doctors were afraid that it would spread to her new dialysis line)
Thursday-
Dianna had surgery to insert the NEW Permanent Dialysis line in to her left thigh.
(The doctor said the surgery to insert the new line went well, but Dianna's skin is still so thin and fragile that it was very difficult to close-- The doctor said that he HOPED that her skin would not tear away from the stitches.)
PLEASE PRAY that Dianna's NEW Dialysis Line works, her skin heals and she does not get another infection.
THANK YOU!

Day + 269

Dianna continues to get stronger each day. :-)
She is still on the Ventilator, but the Respiratory Therapist has been doing tests and exercises to check the strength of Dianna's lungs.
(Her lungs are still a little weak, but getting stronger.)
The Shingles on her leg are almost gone...
so now Dr. Goldman & Dr. Quan are talking to the Surgeon about the new dialysis access.
They hoped that the surgeon would be able to complete her surgery next week.
After Dianna recovers, she could try to have the ventilator removed.
*Dianna asks me everyday if she can take the tube out of her nose. :-(
I am praying that the next surgery goes smoothly and she can get off the ventilator very soon.

Day + 264

Dianna continues to improve! :-)
She is getting much stronger each day.
Dianna is still on the ventilator, but at a very low rate...
so we hope that she will be able to have it removed soon.
Dianna does have "Shingles"-- on one leg. :-(
(It has not spread-- so the doctors hope that the medication that was started is working.)
Now the doctors are waiting to preform the surgery to insert a new dialysis access till the Shingles begin to heal.
Dianna is down to having dialysis- Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday.
The doctors have stopped the fluid removal on Tuesday & Thursday.
(because of the reduction of IV medications)
Today-- Dianna is OFF all IV drips! :-)
She is only receiving two medications by IV.
Dianna is still receiving her food and few medications through the feeding tube in her nose.

Day + 253

Sorry it has been so long from my last update...
With Dianna awake --I have wanted to spend the time with her.
She looks much better!
She was arguing with me this week. :-)
Dianna is still on the ventilator.
But she began PT today,
and the doctors are hoping that this will help with her strength in her arms, legs, torso, lungs, etc.
(Please pray that this works- if not the doctors are talking about a tracheotomy) :-(
Now that Dianna's skin/wounds are much better--
her doctors are talking to the surgeons again about a more permanent Dialysis access. ???
Dianna is still in a critical condition, but each day she seems to be getting better and stronger.
THANKS again for ALL the PRAYERS!!!

Day + 245

TODAY--
Dianna opened her eyes and is talking!!!
(It really makes her tired quickly, but it is so great to hear her try to speak.)
The first thing she said to me this morning was--
I love you
and
I want to go home
(I started to cry)
I told her that I loved her and that I want to go home!
Next Dianna was upset that she could not move her hands/arms...
(she is so weak from lying in bed for so long)
I picked up her hand so she could see it, then placed it on her stomach with her blanket.
I told her that we would start doing some exercises with her arms.
(She is OK with that for now)
Also Today--
The doctors have reduced the amount of oxygen that Dianna is receiving from the ventilator.
(I am praying that Dianna will be able to have the vent tube removed soon.)
**Keep the PRAYERS coming-- Thank you!!!**

Day + 242

The doctors and nurses are calling Dianna-- Wonder Girl/Super Girl.
She is doing so much better today. :-)
Dianna is off the oscillator and back on the regular ventilator.
She is still receiving dialysis every other day and fluid pull on the opposite days.
Her blood pressure is much better-- still on a little blood pressure medication.
All Dianna's labs are good except for something in her vent tube...
the doctors are trying some different medications to try to get rid of the bacteria.
This morning Dianna had to have a blood clot removed from her leg...
but the surgeon said that it looked OK and did not think it had an infection.
**Keep the prayers coming...
I know that is WHY Dianna is still here with us!
THANK YOU!!!

Day + 238

Thank you for all the prayers!!!
Dianna is doing a little better.
Today the doctors are surprised at how much better her blood pressure is doing.
(Not having all the drastic ups and downs)
The blood pressure seems to be staying much more stable today. :-)
And the x-ray of her lungs looks better. :-)
Please keep the prayers coming!

Day + 236

PLEASE PRAY FOR DIANNA!
Dianna is NOT doing well...
Last night her blood pressure began going up and down-
The doctor ordered a sonogram of her heart to be sure there was not a problem.
It looked OK.
Also ordered a sonogram of her gallbladder to be sure there was not a problem.
It looked OK.
The doctors have run many different blood tests.
But- the only thing that has shown up is the Rhino virus.
And- the fluid in her lungs (from the x-rays and scope)
It seems that Dianna's body is shutting down.
This morning, Monday--
the doctors said that I need to think about our next step with Dianna...
there is not much more that they can do and feel if her heart stops that we should just let her go...
Dianna is in kidney failure (dialysis), lung failure (breathing machine), and now it looks like problems with her liver and heart are beginning.
I DO NOT WANT TO LET HER GO!!!
But I do not want her to suffer!
Please God take care of my baby!

Day + 231

This past week Dianna seemed to be doing a little better...
The wound care nurse said that her skin is looking much better
and many of her wounds/incisions have healed.
Dianna was awake most of the weekend. :-)
She was mouthing words and shaking her head- yes & no.
Dianna continues to receive dialysis every other day--
then the opposite days they just remove the extra fluid from her body.
(this is so the doctors can continue to give her extra feeds & medications, without her body becoming too swollen)
BUT --
Monday night Dianna bit through her breathing tube...
The doctors had hoped that they could just remove it and leave it out.
Unfortunately her breathing was not good enough-
so Dianna had another tube inserted into her nose Tuesday morning.
The doctors did an x-ray to be sure it was in the correct position and found that she had fluid and a possible infection in her lungs. :-(
Next another specialist was called in to put a scope down to look in her lungs--
he said that he saw some flem on the left side and took a sample.
NOW today, Wednesday- the x-ray shows something on the right lung! :-(
It looks like tomorrow, Thursday- Dianna will have another scope and they will get a sample from the right lung. :-(
*PLEASE PRAY that the procedure on Thursday goes smoothly and that it is nothing serious.

Day + 223 & Granny's Surgery

SUNDAY:
Dianna had the extra fluid removed.
(This is so the doctor can up the amount of nutrition Dianna is receiving--
to help with her wound/skin healing)
*Granny is in pain.
MONDAY:
Dianna's day is about the same as Sunday, except
today she had Hemo dialysis.
*Granny had surgery today--
she had to have a plate and screws inserted into her arm. :-(
TUESDAY:
Today, Dianna had the extra fluid removed.
*Granny had therapy twice today.

Day + 220

THURSDAY:
Dianna had Hemo dialysis today--
it went smoothly...
BUT the doctor believes she might have an infection in her Peritoneal.
(Running more tests!)
FRIDAY:
YES--
Dianna has an infection in her Peritoneal Catheter! :-(
ANOTHER SURGERY!!! :-(
The doctors want to remove the catheter ASAP,
to keep the bacteria from getting into her blood stream.
Dianna did well with the surgery--
the doctors put her on antibiotics to be sure the bacteria does not spread.
and they are keeping her sedated for the next few days till her wound begins to heal.
BUT------
Going up to visit Dianna after surgery...
Granny (my Mom) fell AND fractured her arm!!!!!! :-(
NOW I have two from my family at Medical City Dallas!
Saturday:
I spent all day running back and forth between Dianna's room and my mother's room.
Dianna had Hemo dialysis again today.
Granny has been in a lot of pain!
She will need surgery on her arm next week...

Day + 217

SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY:
Dianna was on CVVH dialysis and did well, except
for Monday night when she was taken off-- she got a fever for a few hours.
Also-- she had a feeding tube inserted into her nose.
She is doing OK with the tube--
the doctors are wanting to get her stomach and bowels working again.
TUESDAY:
Dianna had Hemo dialysis today, but it did not work...
her blood pressure dropped too low, so she had to stop the dialysis.
The doctor is reducing the amount of medications to keep her sedated and
the amount of TPN; but increasing the amount of her feeding tube.
Dianna had a fever again tonight.
WEDNESDAY:
Dianna had Hemo dialysis again today and she did much better.
Reduced-- the amount of sedation and TPN.
Increased-- the amount of feeding tube.
**Still praying for MORE good days!**

Day + 212

This has been a long week...
TUESDAY:
Dianna had PD only and it worked fine at a low concentration.
WEDNESDAY:
The doctor increased the concentration and fluid amount of the PD...
The wound care nurse was working on Dianna and rolled her on the PD Catheter.
When I returned from lunch, Dianna's nurse said that she was retaining fluid.
But-- when I looked at her catheter bandage-- it was wet and the pad under her was totally wet.
The nurse did not realize that the fluid was leaking from Dianna's incision around the catheter.
The wound care nurse had caused the incision around the catheter to tear.
Now Dianna must stop the PD.
Hopefully the PD will work after her incision around the catheter heals AGAIN.
The doctor said she should wait a week or two before she tries PD.
THURSDAY:
Dianna had to begin regular dialysis today...
She did fine except for her blood did not clot well when finished and Dianna had some bleeding till she was given medication to help her blood clot.
FRIDAY:
Today was fairly quiet...
Dianna was able to get a little rest today.

Day + 206

The swelling is gone, but now Dianna's skin looks like a snake skin that is about to shed.
The PD did not work last night-- the doctors believe that she got too dry being on both dialysis.
BUT they have started the PD again to night...
PLEASE PRAY that it will work for Dianna!

Dianna's school dedicated their Locks of Love to Dianna this year--

Lakeland Elementary's Locks of Love-- Dedicated to Dianna...

Lakeland Wedsite:
http://www.lisd.net/schools/lakeland/index.htm

Locks of Love Pictures/Video:
http://www.lisd.net/schools/lakeland/Index%20pictures/LocksofLove_1.wmv

Day + 203

Sorry for not updating since last Wednesday...
Dianna took a turn for the worse this weekend!
Saturday, April 18th-
Dianna's incision for the PD catheter began to leak fluid and was not pulling off all the fluid that was going into her abdomen; so the doctors decided to take her back into surgery to check for scar tissue and add more stitches around the catheter. Dianna had a hard time waking up so she was int abated and moved to PICU.
She began to breath on her own quickly, but they wanted to keep her over night.
Sunday, April 19th-
Dianna's incision for the PD Catheter began to leak again and she began to get an infection around the incision site.
Dianna had so much fluid in her body, that she looked like she could pop.
Also, Dianna's blood pressure dropped very low.
At this time the doctors came in to talk to us about our last options...
The doctors told us that she might not make it through the night!
We called in Dianna's family (thinking it might be to see her for the last time).
Monday, April 20th-
Dianna was taken into surgery again...
Thankfully the infection in her abdomen had began to clear so the doctor had more options on where to place the central line- it was placed in her right thigh and she was int abated again.
She was taken back to the PICU and began Dialysis.
The doctors are keeping her sedated while she was on so many machines.
Tuesday, April 21st-
Dianna was beginning to look better, she was not as swollen.
She was placed on a special air bed that keeps moving her body to help reduce sores on her back.
Wednesday, April 22nd-
Dianna was looking more like herself.
The doctors are beginning to reduce medications.
If she continues to do well...
the doctors may try the PD Dialysis again on Thursday or Friday.
Once she switches back to PD Dialysis; they will begin to wake Dianna.
PRAY that Dianna will continue to do better.

Day + 196

TUESDAY, April 14th:
Dianna had a doctor's appointment at 8:30am to check and see if she needed platelets before her surgery.
(Yes- she needed a platelet transfusion.)
Dianna's surgery began around 3:00pm.
It took several hours, but the surgeon said it went well.
Dr. Hermon inserted a catheter in her abdomen to begin the Peritoneal Dialysis;
and he inserted a new Port in her chest.
Later that night after Dianna was returned to her room, she began the dialysis.
Dianna woke up several times during the night hurting--
the nurse gave her pain medication and she was able to sleep.
WEDNESDAY, April 15th:
Dianna seemed to handle the dialysis well last night.
She slept most of the day today.
She was very sore due to having several incisions in her chest and stomach.
**PLEASE PRAY that Dianna is feeling better SOON.

Day + 191

Thursday, March 26th:
Today Dianna got to go HOME again...
This was a great Birthday present for me (Mom)! :-)
Saturday, March 28th:
Dianna began to spit up blood.
It lasted for about an hour, so I called her doctor and he wanted her to go to the hospital for platelets.
Also, Dianna's left arm had began to swell due to the new line they had inserted in her shoulder.
Thursday, April 2nd:
Dianna was able to return home again.
But before she left the surgeon removed the line causing her her to swell.
Now, Dianna does not have any access for blood draws or transfusions.
The doctors want to give her body a break from ports or central lines.
Wednesday, April 8th:
Dianna had a check up appointment...
Her platelets and red cells were very low, so Dr. Goldman wanted her to stay the night for transfusions.
During the process- Dianna's Kidney doctor wanted to run some tests on her kidneys because her Creatine has gone even higher. :-(
After several tests...
Friday, April 10th:
the doctors came in to talk with me about beginning Dianna on dialysis. :-(
The doctors recommend "Peritoneal Dialysis"...
this has a catheter inserted into Dianna's Peritoneal cavity and fluid is put into the abdominal cavity through the catheter.
At night during sleep, a machine called a cycler fills and empties (filters) Dianna's abdomen many times.
The doctor said there is still a small chance that her kidney could heal on its own,
but the chances are growing less as time goes on and we are not seeing improvements.
Dianna is HOME for the weekend!!! :-)
Dianna's doctor is to call me this weekend to setup the day for her surgery...
he is looking at Monday, April 13th or Tuesday, April 14th.
Dr. Goldman also wants a new Port inserted into Dianna during the surgery.
PLEASE PRAY that the surgery goes well, Dianna heals quickly and if possible (God willing) that her kidneys would begin to heal.

Day + 174

MONDAY-- Dianna had surgery to remove her port...
The surgery was to begin between 2:00pm- 4:00pm, but the surgeon had an emergency-
so Dianna was pushed back to 7:00pm.
The surgeon said the procedure went well-
He removed Dianna's port and inserted a temporary central line on her shoulder.
TUESDAY-- Dianna is very sore, but had a pretty good day.

Day + 172

Dianna is BACK in the hospital. :-(
Medical City Dallas-- Room # 610
She was admitted on Friday afternoon...
(March 20th- Day + 170)
Friday- Dianna was running a fever of 102.
The doctors ordered many tests to try to find the cause of the fever.
Today, Sunday- the doctor came in and said Dianna would need to have her Port removed...
they found that she has a yeast infection in her port. :-(
(This is something that can happen due to the immune suppression drugs that Dianna is having to take due to the transplant.)
*PLEASE PRAY that the surgery goes smoothly tomorrow. THANK YOU!

Dianna's HOME!

(Sorry that I have not updated lately- trying to get in a routine at HOME.) :-)

**E-mail to friends from Daddy Bret...
This e-mail passes along good news, at 2:10PM yesterday (Tuesday March 3, 2009) Dianna rolled out of Medical City Dallas (rolled down to the car in a wagon).

Picture attached.

Got her home late yesterday afternoon, this experience was reminiscent of bringing new babies home for the first day, every twitch, noise, or action warranted analysis, but we got through the night and mama got some well deserved rest in her own bed.

We will be on a rigid schedule of follow up visits, enough medications to stock our own pharmacy and twice daily blood pressure checks, but that beats being in the hospital hands down.

Once again I pass along thanks to the huge number of family members and friends that kept up the prayers and positive thoughts, your love and support played a large roll in keeping us going and we thank you.

I am sure Nanette will put some news on the blog as time goes on and Dianna gets her strength back so keep looking for updates.

Bret L. Foster

Day + 146 (Total days in hospital= 155)

**Mitchell Musso and Dianna**
MONDAY:
"Mitchell Musso"- He plays Oliver on Hannah Montana's Disney TV Show was at the hospital and came to Dianna's room. :-)
Dianna was very excited!
He sat on the couch with Dianna and visited for a few minutes, gave her an autograph and a HUG! :-)
Today, Dianna was still having problems with her stomach hurting. :-(
TUESDAY:
This morning the doctor tried a new medication for Dianna's stomach.
It is to help with the nausea and make her feel a little hungry.
So far...it seems to be helping. :-)

Day + 144 (Total # of days in hospital= 153)

Dianna is out of the PICU...
she was moved to a room on Friday, 2/20.
She is now in Room 618 in Building D.
Her new phone # 972-566-8718.
Dianna had a good day on Friday, and felt like going to the playroom. :-)
Saturday and Sunday, she has been having problems with her stomach and high blood pressure.
The seizures that she had on Thursday, 2/12- have got her body out of wack...
She is back to having problems eating/keeping things down (food & medications) and high blood pressure. :-(
Please pray that Dianna will begin to feel better and her blood pressure will level out again.

Bret's E-mail-- Thurs. 2/12/09

Greetings to everyone who has followed Dianna’s journey, if you are receiving a version of this e-mail twice my apologies, computer issue.

We had a set back today, just a couple of hours before she was scheduled to be released which means that Dianna and Nanette are still at Medical City . This morning Dianna developed a series of seizures and was rushed to the ICU with extremely high blood pressure. We have been given no definite reason why this happened and are still waiting on test results. At this time the blood pressure has fallen back into line and Dianna was sleeping. The events of the day were extremely stressful on everyone but especially so on Nanette.

We are hoping they both get some rest tonight and starting tomorrow we can get back on the track to getting them home soon. In talking with our Associate Pastor and good friend Truett King tonight he pointed out that God was watching out for us by this happening while still at the hospital and not after everyone had come home. Had this happened at home the results could have been much worse.

For those of our great friends who have followed this process and prayed prayers, sent gifts, notes, cards etc I would like to say “Thank You”, these uplifting acts have been good for both Dianna and Nanette.

I am sure when everything calms down Nanette will resume updating the website so watch for more news


Bret L. Foster
District Manager South Central Region
Phone 972-821-7256
Fax 630-438-8006

Day + 133 (Total days in hospital= 142)

Dianna gets to go HOME- Thursday!
(Unless something unusual comes up tonight)
*I have been afraid to post this again after the last time and she did not get to go home.
Dianna will still need IV fluids, blood pressure checks, etc at HOME- so Mom has been learning to do all this (we will have a home health care helping/checking me the first week or so)
ALSO- Dianna will have to return to the doctor's office 3 times a week.
If her kidneys get better, then this will be reduced.
BUT- if her kidneys do not get better, Dianna will have to go back into the hospital for another treatment (that will require having another Central Line inserted)
PRAY-- that Dianna's kidneys continue to heal AND that she will not have any more complications due to her Bone Marrow Transplant!

Day + 125 (Total days in hospital= 134)

We received fairly good news on part of the kidney biopsy...
The kidney specialist said that the test showed that her kidneys were being poisoned by a medication that she was taking; BUT that stopping the medication now should let her kidneys heal. :-)
It could take a while for the kidneys to heal, but at least it is correctable. :-)
*I am glad that we did the biopsy!*
We still have one more report/test from the biopsy, but it may take another week to get the results.

Day +124 (Total days in hospital= 133)

FRIDAY:
The surgery/biopsy seemed to go fairly well...
The surgeon had to put in a new needle in her port (it had come out).
He said that the kidney looked fine- now just waiting on lab reports.
Dianna slept all day.
SATURDAY:
Dianna is very sore, but seems to feel OK.
This evening Dianna got up and walked 5 laps around the transplant floor.
SUNDAY:
Dianna is still sore, but really perked up when her brother- Nic and sisters- Courtney & Kaelynn arrived after church! :-)
She got up and walked 10 laps around the transplant floor with them. :-)
MONDAY:
I hope to get some of the lab reports from the biopsy today.
I have been praying that we get good news.

FYI:
Today is my Anniversary!
Bret and I have been married "8 years" today!!! :-)

Day + 120 (Total # of days in hospital= 129)

The doctors did not find anything from all the tests that have been preformed on Dianna.
I guess on one hand that is good news- she does not have a virus, etc.
Also, Dianna's blood pressure has been much better this week.
(She is only wearing a blood pressure patch and is NOT having to take any medications by mouth.) :-)
But on the other hand it is not such good news- they have not been able to find out why her creatinine is so high (kidneys are not functioning very well).
So...tomorrow, Dianna will have a biopsy on her kidneys. :-(
It will be done as a surgery, to try to reduce the chances of bleeding-
(the doctor can see the exact spot to biopsy, then stitch her up)
PLEASE PRAY-- that the surgery goes smoothly, with NO complications and that Dianna will be able to go home SOON!

Day + 117 (Total # of days in the hospital= 126)

Dianna is STILL in the hospital! :-(
The doctors have not found what caused the fever.
But her stomach is still cramping...
AND now her blood work shows that her kidneys are getting worse. :-(
Today- she had a sonogram and several other tests to check her kidneys.
The doctor talked to me today about possible doing a biopsy on Dianna's kidneys and stomach.
He is waiting on the tests results from today to make the final decision.
PRAY that Dianna's kidney and stomach will heal without having the biopsy!
And that Dianna will get to go home SOON!!!

Day + 115 (Total days in the hospital= 124)

Last night Dianna started running a fever and was sick at her stomach. :-(
This morning, the doctor said that he was not worried yet...
He started Dianna on an antibiotic and did blood work.
She is still running a fever.
PLEASE PRAY that the fever is gone by Sunday morning!
She will not get to go home on Sunday, but if the fever is gone she could still go home on Monday!

Day + 112 (Total # of days in hospital= 121)

Dianna Riding a scooter during her Physical Therapy...

**Dianna gets to go HOME this weekend or on Monday!!!**

YEA!!!

We are so excited!

Dianna will have to continue to return to the hospital several times a week for checkups-

but at least we will be able to sleep in our own beds. :-)

Day + 109 (Total # of days in hospital= 118)

Dianna has gone a week eating and seems to get a little better each day! :-)
She has started to take a couple of her medications by mouth.
We are trying to add another medication each day.
(This seems to be the most difficult part for Dianna- she can not swallow pills.)

**PRAYER REQUEST-**
The doctor said that Dianna's kidneys are NOT healing as they had hoped.
At this time- her kidneys are only working at about of a third of her normal working kidney.
He said that they have been damaged by all the medications during transplant and her high blood pressure.
She continues to have high blood pressure, which means she continues to need many extra blood pressure medications.
It is possible that IF they DO NOT heal she could need "Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant". :-(
PLEASE PRAY that Dianna's kidneys will begin to heal. THANK YOU!!!

Day + 105 (Total days in hospital= 114)

Dianna with her Hannah Montana Sleep Mask :-)

Dianna began to eat again on Saturday! :-)

I DO NOT want to have a feeding tube for her!

She is trying to eat at least two or three bites at each meal.

I am hoping that she will try to begin her oral medications again on Friday(???).

If she can continue to eat (and keep it down) and take her medications by mouth--

We MIGHT get to go home next week!!!!!!! :-)

**PLEASE pray that all goes well for Dianna...THANKS!**

Day + 99 (Total days in hospital= 108)

SUNDAY- 1/04/09:
The new line that was inserted into the port last night was not working, so Dianna was sent down for x-ray with dye.
The line was not in the port, so he inserted another (but it was still not long enough)
So he had to insert another line!
3 lines in 12 hours! :-(
Dianna was sore after all the pokes.
Dianna did eat a few bites today. :-)
MONDAY- 1/05/09:
Dr. Lenarsky asked Dr. Elizabeth (Medical Family Therapist) to come talk to me about Dianna.
They are trying to find a way to get Dianna to eat (and take her medications).
Her blood pressure was high after receiving a blood transfusion.
Dianna did not eat today. :-(
TUESDAY- 1/06/09:
Dianna went down stairs to shop and ride around in the wheel chair.
She picked a noodles to eat for lunch. Yea!
She ate a few noodles. :-)
Dianna's blood pressure was high again tonight. :-(
WEDNESDAY- 1/07/09:
Dianna went down stairs again, but started feeling bad.
She did go visit Dr. Lenarsky's office and got a new Barbie.
Back to her room and Child Life worked with Dianna.
While Child Life was with Dianna- we (me, Granny and Pawpa) moved Dianna to a different room.
In Room # 1211 the heat kept going out! :-(
So NOW- Dianna is in room # 1202.
Again today Dianna did not eat and her blood pressure was high. :-(
During the night the nurse gave her medication for nausea-
it caused her to be restless all night. :-(
THURSDAY- 1/08/09:
Dianna went down stairs today for about an hour.
Again today Dianna is NOT eating and her blood pressure has been very high! :-(
The doctors are beginning to discuss inserting a feeding tube into Dianna's stomach- if she does not start eating! :-(

Day + 94 (Total # of days in hospital= 103)

WEDNESDAY- 12/31/08:

Dianna is still refusing to take a Blood Pressure Medications.

Also, she is not eating. :-(

She is depressed/mad and all she wants to do is lay in bed and sleep. :-(

If Dianna would start eating she could go HOME!

Blood Work:

white blood cells: 2.4, red blood cells: 2.88, HGB: 8.5, Platelets: 11, ABS Neut: 1.440

THURSDAY- 01/01/09:

Again today, Dianna will not eat or take her blood pressure meds.

If I ask her to eat or take her meds, she cries or gets mad. :-(

All she wants to do is sleep. :-(

FRIDAY- 01/02/09:

The doctors are getting worried about depression.

Dr. Lenarsky said Dianna could go down stairs and outside (in a wheelchair without an IV) today- if she would like to. :-)

Dianna said OK, so we walked outside and went to each gift shop in the hospital. :-)

I think Dianna was going thou shopping withdraw. :-)

She was very tired by the time we got back to her room, but seemed to have a good time.

Blood Work:

White blood cells: 2.1, Red blood cells: 3.19, HGB: 9.5, Platelets: 85, ABS Neut: 1.512

SATURDAY:- 01/03/09:

Dianna STILL not eating or taking medications (except Prograf). :-)

This morning she was dehydrated, Dr. Lenarsky doubled the amount of IV fluid.

For the afternoon, Dianna went outside for another walk (the weather was great) and looked around a gift shop.

She also sat in the play area. **SEE PICTURE ABOVE** :-)

When she got back to her room, Dianna had too much IV fluid. :-(

She had to have laxes for the swelling.

Also, because of the extra fluid it caused her line to come loose from her port. :-(

Dianna had to have a new line inserted. :-(

She was NOT happy!