View allAll Photos Tagged intensivecareunit
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© 2020 Helmuth Boeger - All rights reserved.
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(more than 14000 views - Thank You ! :-)
ENG: We're really starting to reach our limit. The mortality rate is rising enormously and the staff ...! Oh yes, I'm fine so far, but I hardly have time to take care of Flickr here. So please do not be sad.
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GER: So langsam sind wir echt am Limit. Die Sterberate steigt enorm und das Personal ...! Ach ja, mir geht es soweit gut aber ich habe aktuell kaum Zeit mich hier um Flickr zu kümmern. Also bitte nicht traurig sein.
Explore Date: Dec. 14, 2020
Ranking: 287
On the occasion of the dismissal of the editor-in-chief of Bild newspaper Julia Reichelt.Many thought that he was removed from his post because he had sometimes criticized the government's Corona policy. I suspect that he has simply become a lame duck.The new editor gets right down to business (front page translation with Deeple Pro) :
Now also the beer price shock.
Despite double vaccination intensive care!
Wife of pop star Tony Mashall in Bild.
I am worried about Tony.
Caught: Lauterbach (vaccination pope) with smartphone at the wheel of his car.
38/52 - Self portrait challenge
I was sent nursing when i left school as it was considered a 'solid' and grounding job. I'm sure my parents felt it would keep me focused on real life issues and less on being a dreamer. I would also be earning a salary which was an extra bonus.
The first few years were very hard for me. I found nursing difficult and uncompromising. No place for a dreamer, like me. As i was always competitive i completed my studies. I qualified as a general Registered Nurse and also added Midwifery to the mix. I have always believed that if you are going to do something, then do it well.
I chose to specialize in critical care and moved to Johannesburg in mid 1986. Here i joined the Johannesburg General hospital were i studied the Intensive Care nursing Sciences.
Although the Surgical and Trauma ICU's are hard work they were very rewarding. I loved the technology together with the patient care. I preferred the ICU to the wards. I don't do too well when people complain the whole time.
When i moved back to Windhoek some years later i opened the first ever ICU at the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek ( 1993 image below).
I only stayed on a short time, but enough to grow it into a three bed ICU. Today the ICU at the RC Hospital is very big and state of the art (can see a bit from the image above).
I moved into a medical sales field. It is far more lucrative and the hours are better. In the past few years i have missed the feeling of satisfaction that the ICU brought me. Everything else feels superficial. We will see. I have remained registered in the event i may choose to go back. Who knows?
So enough about me, have you always done what you loved? or did you start off doing something that seemed practical?
Please don't use any of my images on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit written permission. © All rights reserved
COVID has never gone away.
People continue to die, people continue to get very sick.
Deaths are now on the increase and my ICU is filling up. (edit: it isn't filling up, it's FULL as we have don't have enough staff.) Most of us were already mentally and physically exhausted, and now things are ramping up again (although it never really went away), many of us just want to walk away. I know I do.
PLEASE, if you value me as a friend, a contact, my art or as a nurse, please wear a mask if you're able. Wash your hands, and get your jab.
Above all, NEVER vote Tory.
Any and all negative comments, anti-NHS, anti-vaxxers, COVIDIOTS, COVID-deniers will be immediately deleted and blocked and possibly reported.
I can't do with your uneducated bullshit.
Artwork ©jackiecrossley
© All rights reserved. This image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, displayed, posted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. This image is not authorised for use on your blogs, pinboards, websites or use in any other way. You may not download this image without written permission from me. Thank you.
Doctors and nurses care for COVID-19 patients in the ICU and Emergency Department at LAC+USC Medical Center, July 30, 2020. LAC+USC Medical Center is part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (Mayra Beltran Vasquez / Los Angeles County)
This was the 10th [tenth] motorcycle I owned, purchased circa 1989. This is not my bike but as close as it gets to the example I owned.
My bike was imported in to New Zealand from Queensland in Australia. It was originally owned by a Mr Colin R. Bruce, 146 Union Street, Spring Hill 4001, Brisbane.
The bike's owner's express warranty handbook provides the following details;
PRE-Delivery was at Queensland Bike World, Ipswich Rd, Marooka, date; 2/9/85.
Mechanic: M.S. Brown
The model: ZX 750 G2.
The bike had 2 more service checks at Queensland Bike World. 1. 20/9/85 at 800km/miles & 2. 18/2/86 at 4744km/miles.
Unfortunately on Friday April 27th 1990 at approximately 11.30pm I had my near-death motorcycle accident aboard it. I lost control of the bike after braking heavily at high speed for a right hand bend in the open road, fell, and slid across the road in to a farmer's paddock concrete fence post and instantly amputated my left leg at the knee. I was transferred to a local hospital fortunately within the 'golden hour'. More chance of surviving such an horrific traumatic accident. I had 12 hours of mainly exploratory surgery. My injuries were many and serious and my condition was listed as 'critical'. I had fractured my pelvis on the right side, had massive injury to my left buttock after sliding on tar seal in denim jeans. I had sustained several urological injuries, and a colostomy had been formed with my bowel.
My motorcycle was a write-off as it had chassis damage.
On the 4th day in the Intensive Care Unit I began fitting while in surgery and had developed renal failure. I was transferred to another hospital by ambo 200km east and placed on kidney dialysis. On the second evening in the Intensive Care Unit it was decided a hemipelvectomy operation be performed due to septicemia [blood poisoning] spreading from my remaining left leg stump. If the septicemia spread in to my body's vital organs I would die. So the remaining left leg stump was amputated including my hip joint and left side of my pelvis. It was a massive traumatic operation and I had my near-death experience during the operation. I could see myself from a distance [the ceiling of the surgical theater]. I also traveled through a tunnel at warp speed and met my maker on the other side. I was asked if I liked it there. I replied it was OK. I was then asked if I wanted to stay there or 'return'. I replied 'I'll return please'. I then again traveled at warp speed through a tunnel. I awoke after my operation and wondered what the F @ % & was going on.
I spent 3 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit trying to survive. My body was infused with the maximum dosage of morphine it could take as I was in so much pain. At times I was placed on a ventilator and thought I was Darth Farking Vader. I continually sweated profusely - remember the body's skin is like a car engine's radiator - so hack a piece of radiator off it and naturally the engine can't cool itself as well as if it had all the radiator. My hair began falling out. I experienced wild terrifying hallucinations. At one stage I believed one of my Intensive Care nurses was going to kill me - remember fear of dying is worse than really dying. I had little sleep, and dozed. For a long time I couldn't drink water - and believe me my thirst was greater than Jesus when he was in the desert. I couldn't eat. I was in hell. There was 2 ways out. 1. Death. 2. Life. I felt a presence of 'something' holding the rope I was at the bottom of clinging to. It was just not going to let me go. It was so strong. I began regaining strength. One day I was allowed to eat something. I chose a lettuce and Marmite sandwich. And a pottle of yogurt. Wow it was delicious!
I was transferred to Ward 4A near the nurses station. I couldn't sleep. I felt if I went to sleep at night I wouldn't wake up in the morning. I faked pain and was given 10mg of morphine in the morning around 6am. I slept for 2 hours. Upon waking I dry retched for 1/2 an hour. This regime continued until I began naturally falling asleep at night. I stopped asking for morphine. I was transferred to a room of 4 patients. I began communicating with other patients. I was placed on a 'Tilt Board' to get my body used to being upright again. One time I was assisted out of bed and in to a 'Walking Frame'. I began hopping on my one good right leg in the Walking Frame.
I was transferred to another 4 patient room where sunshine would come through the window curtains in the afternoon. I began being taken by stretcher and wheels on my back over to the Physio Swimming Pool where I was lowered in to the pool by tray on my back. I would be dipped in to the water and my body would then naturally roll off into beautiful warm water OH WOW! I would wade around in the warm water before returning to my hospital ward room and my primary nurse would make up a full 1 liter plastic jug of orange flavored cordial and I would devour it! This regime continued and it wasn't long before I began semi-swimming in the Physio Swimming Pool - remember as I was a very successful local athlete [road cycling, marathon runner/harrier, bi & triathlete] my body was used to exercise and a lot of it. But this was an entirely different sport - the sport of REHABILITATION.
See road cycling career info here: www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/51988007800/in/album-7...
I was also taken across to the Otago/Southland Artificial Limb Center where I was cast and fitted with a hemipelvectomy prosthesis. However as I was so weak I found it very slow and frustrating learning to use the prosthesis. I was also issued a pair of crutches.
Read about how I put my crutches to good use here:
www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/52067220563/in/album-7...
I spent a total of 101 days in hospital and hopped out with a prosthesis over my shoulder. My new life as a trauma hemipelvectomy was about to START.
The Southland Times newspaper article covering my accident:
www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/52037881082/in/album-7...
At The Big Kart Track on the Sunshine Coast in Australia on my honeymoon in 2005:
www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/50403299991/in/album-7...
At Australia Zoo catching up with my old mate Skippy on my honeymoon in 2005: www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/50403280721/in/album-7...
Meeting Australian V8 Supercars hero & super driver Rick Kelly here in Invercargill in 2013: www.flickr.com/photos/35707376@N00/24735165364/in/album-7...
ICU Registered Nurse, Edith Henriquez, prepares to care for Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. (Photo / Los Angeles County)
Original Caption: Union Hospital in New Ulm, Minnesota, Has Five Up-To-Date Intensive Care Units Such as the One Shown. All Funds Necessary for the Intensive Care Facilities Were Raised by Public Subscription in the Town and Surrounding Brown County. There Are Two Hospitals in Town, Loretto Which Is Catholic and Union Which Is Non-Denominational. The Two Medical Facilities Divided Their Services to Specialize and Give More Efficient Service. New Ulm Was Founded in 1854.
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-15728
Photographer: Schulke, Flip, 1930-2008
Subjects:
New Ulm (Brown county, Minnesota, United States) inhabited place
Environmental Protection Agency
Project DOCUMERICA
Persistent URL: arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=558178
Repository: Still Picture Records Section, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-S), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001.
For information about ordering reproductions of photographs held by the Still Picture Unit, visit: www.archives.gov/research/order/still-pictures.html
Reproductions may be ordered via an independent vendor. NARA maintains a list of vendors at www.archives.gov/research/order/vendors-photos-maps-dc.html
Access Restrictions: Unrestricted
Use Restrictions: Unrestricted
Σημε-ιολογικόν Επίκαιρον (ΙΙ)
Η Ανο(η)σία της Αγέλης,
ο Ιός
(Ύβρις τε και Νέμεσις)
ο Υιός του Aνθρώπου
(μεσσίας και φαντασιακός λυτρωτής)
και η Πανδημία ως Δήμιος ...
> H Γενοκτονική Νομοτέλεια του Υπερπληθυσμού
===========================================================
IN ENGLISH
The image and the text above contain two COVID19-pandemic related wordplays of Homophonic Greek words. See below the full rendering in English of the Greek texts as well as the translation of the relative key-words.
===========================================================
Timely Semantics in the
Times of Globalization,
with Corona Virus
as Omen.
(the) Present (is) Dark
(the) Future (to be) Worse.
(viral) Infection
and Arrogance
without Healing.
Virus
and Nonsense,
of the Herd
with No Immunity.
Nonsense
and Instinct,
as (the) Rights
(to act) at Random (without logic)
Debacle
of Logic and Measure,
(the) Supreme Hubris ...
hence,
the Nemesis,
the Pandemic,
the Bane ....
===========================================================
Timely Semantics (II)
Divine Passions
(ref to Holly Week)
The Nonsense of the Herd
the Virus
(as Nemesis)
(as messiah and imaginary savior)
and the Pandemic as Executioner ...
===========================================================
Key Words
Ιός = Virus
Ιολογικόν = Viral
'Iωση = Viral Infection
Οίηση = Arrogance
Παγκοσμιοποίηση = Globalization
Υιός = Son
Κορωνοϊός = Corona Virus
Oιωνός = Omen
Ανοσία = Immunity
Ανοησία = Nonsense
Λόγος = Logic (in archaic Greek)
Μέτρον = Measure or Limit (in archaic Greek)
Ύβρις = Hubris
Νέμεσις = Nemesis
Πανδημία = Pandemic
Δήμιος = Executioner
Verdacht auf Herzinfarkt hieß die Diagnose, nachdem meine Troponin-Werte im Blut um das 20-fache erhöht waren!
So kam ich auf die Intensivstation in Datteln und von dort zu einer Herzkatheter-Untersuchung nach Recklinghausen.
(Handy-Foto) /
Strong suspicion of a cardiac infarction was the diagnose, after the data of my troponin in the blood were 20 times as high as they should be.
So I came to the intensive care unit in Datteln and from there to Recklinghausen for an intracardiac catheter examination.
(Mobile shot)
Doctors and nurses care for COVID-19 patients in the ICU and Emergency Department at LAC+USC Medical Center, July 30, 2020. LAC+USC Medical Center is part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (Photo Credit / Los Angeles County)
Original Caption: Union Hospital in New Ulm, Minnesota, Has Five Up-To-Date Intensive Care Units Such as the One Shown. All Funds Necessary for the Intensive Care Facility Were Raised by Public Subscription in the Town and Surrounding Brown County. There Are Two Hospitals in Town, Loretto Which Is Catholic and Union Which Is Non-Denominational. The Two Medical Facilities Divided Their Services to Specialize and Give More Efficient Service. New Ulm Was Founded in 1854.
U.S. National Archives’ Local Identifier: 412-DA-15727
Photographer: Schulke, Flip, 1930-2008
Subjects:
New Ulm (Brown county, Minnesota, United States) inhabited place
Environmental Protection Agency
Project DOCUMERICA
Persistent URL: arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ExternalIdSearch?id=558177
Repository: Still Picture Records Section, Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS-S), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001.
For information about ordering reproductions of photographs held by the Still Picture Unit, visit: www.archives.gov/research/order/still-pictures.html
Reproductions may be ordered via an independent vendor. NARA maintains a list of vendors at www.archives.gov/research/order/vendors-photos-maps-dc.html
Access Restrictions: Unrestricted
Use Restrictions: Unrestricted
UPDATE: 12 JANUARY 2007. It is too my deep sorrow & regret to tell you that our precious Little Baby Gabriel has died at 02:30 AM. after an attempt again to save his precious life which appeared to work from the 11th.. He had a minor operation 11 January where they took a catheter out of his left leg that was to be hooked up to a dyalisis machine called CVVH (4th try to put him on dialysis) as his kidneys were working but not enough. The operation was on the 11 January 2007 at 12:05 Pm. & they put a longer catheter in his right leg that would reach near his heart to get better blood flow & then they hooked him up to the dialysis machine. It was successful & we were celebrating another miracle with much joy. He was in stable but critical condition. By nightfall however, Gabriel's temperature had dropped from 98.6 to 95.5 degrees and his blood pressure went low which they expected. They had him in an incubator to keep him warm & it raised his temperature to 96. when I left. This day was special as I had slept over from the 10th -11th of january & on the 11th I was strangely awoken at 3:53 am. I got myself dressed & went outside had a couple cigarettes & went directly to Gabriels room #1088 which was his 2nd room now. I thought it strange when I looked up at the electronic clock above his room which said 11 January 2006 05:55 Am which was the time Gabriel was born. Then realized it was his 55th day of living & the 5th day of the week. I smiled as it seemed as a sign of something special for Gabriel as he always does things in 3's. I prayed the rosary over him. The 10th he had his 3rd try to put him on dialysis again to help him with his swelling but it failed as the catheter wasn't long enough & there was problems with blood clots, so I had put all my relics about him, read him "One fish, Two fish" by Dr. Seus & prayed the rosary & took some pictures. When I left Gabriel after my stay with him on the 11th, at 7:26 pm. all appeared well. It was to my horror when I was awoken by my husband with cell phone in hand on the 12th January at 2:59 AM (nearly 3 AM!!~ again with the 3's) (also noted was the 12th is Gabriel's great great grandfather-Thomas Barron's death day and his beloved cousin Blessed Brother Andre Bessette burial anniversary day which was ironic or not that Gabriel had died the 1st time on Cousin Andre's rejection day & our Baptism day on the 8th January for 45 minutes but was revived & thing started to go well from there) from my daughter crying saying Gabriel had died 12 January 2007 at 2:30 Am! Blood clots had clogged his dialysis CVVH tube & they backfired causing his precious heart to fail & vital signs. He had been also bleeding internally & this spread from his lungs, then his stomach, then it showed in his urine. The Blood clots & the bleeding & the failure of his lungs & kidneys to work on their own set his destiny. The Dr's in desperate attempts to save his life had no choice to take him off CVVH after many attempts to save his life. His kidneys failed then his heart & other vitals & the doctors found they could do no more. My poor daughter & son-n-law was forced to make the decision to take him off the ventilator as he was failing quickly & his stability was gone & couldn't be regained. My daughter & son-n-law could not let Gabriel suffer as Gabriel was beyond the point of return. I can't imagine how this turmoiled by daughter & son-n-law as they stood strong to help Gabriel through his entire fight for life. This was not an option for them & God was calling him home. We visited our Little Baby Gabriel at 2:30 P.m. til 5 Pm for the last time on the 12th January & got to hold him for the very FIRST TIME & LAST TIME & for 3 times that day. He died peacefully & looked peaceful & beautiful when we saw him. There wasn't a dry eye in that room as everyone bid the farewells & I love you's to him including Doctors, nurses, staff, & even newly aquaintances whom paid respects to our family & Gabriel. We are devestated from the loss of our Beloved Gabriel but very grateful to have been blessed to know him for 56 precious days & are comforted to know that our beloved Mamma Mary handed him in sweet Jesus's lap. In the 56 beautiful days of Gabriel's life, he had touched & united people from the 4 corners of the earth and will be deeply missed! We love you always Gabriel & Miss you deeply! With love, your Dad & Mom, Grandma & Grandpa, & Uncle! XOXOXO May you be a star in the heavens, light the ways with your love & will, be a light in Jesus's arms & lap with Mamma Mary & Pappa Joseph & family as you join them with their Holy Family, and Kiss your Pappa & Mamma each night. May you be blessed always & rest sweetly our beloved Little Baby Gabriel! In memory of our Beloved Little Gabriel (18 November 2006 - 12 November 2007)
My poem I wrote to our precious Grandbaby- Our Little Baby Gabriel whom I love and adore very much!
Little Baby Gabriel needs your prayers! I was informed tonight by my daughter that Little Gabriel isn't doing so well. The Dr's tried to get him off Ecmo machine (a machine that works for his heart and lungs) . When they take him off Ecmo it will also make him get off the Dialysis machine (that is helping him keep the swelling down) but so far all attempts have failed. His blood pressure dropped drastically low and he had his 1st ceisure. She said it was a small one but never-the-less there are concerns. She said time is running short that DR said they will have to get him off or take him off as they can't keep him on this machine much longer. They had to put him back on machines and upboost all his medicines which has caused the swelling to start again. Poor Gabriel is very sick and needs everyone that can be an Angel and pray for him. He has been a fighter so far but all that he has been through has take a toll. We thought he was doing better as tho one undersized lung is completely collapsed the other undersized one finally started expanding this last week. But this set back has us concerned. We thank all of you whom have sent such beautiful letters of support, prayer and love- Thank You for being our Angels. With love, Many Blessings, Laurie
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On Dec. 7, 2006, I found out some of Gabe's true diagnosis. He was born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a birth defect that occurs when the diaphragm does not fully form, allowing organs to enter the chest cavity preventing lung growth. CDH strikes 1 in every 2500 babies, of all races, religious backgrounds, and financial status - no matter how well the prenatal care. The cause is not yet known. 50% of these babies do not survive and sometimes the remaining 50% have to overcome very difficult medical complications. Many CDH babies have minor lasting health problems such as feeding aversions, asthma, scoliosis, or short-term oxygen dependency. A smalll number have major lasting health problems such as ventilator dependency, brain damage, or hearing problems. Many patients have no long-lasting medical problems at all other than a scar from the CDH repair. CDH can occur alone or with other birth defects, and rarely, it occurs as part of a syndrome. Every CDH baby is different, there is no way to predict the outcome of any patient. Some babies with no diaphragm and little lung growth have survived, while some babies with full lungs do not. These children are very different, requiring different treatments, and varying amounts of medical support.
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Congenital heart defects
Holes in the heart. Several defects can be thought of as holes in the walls between heart chambers or abnormal passageways between major blood vessels leaving the heart. These holes allow oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. If the holes are large and a lot of blood is mixed, the blood that ends up being circulated through your baby's body is not carrying as much oxygen as normal. Poorly oxygenated blood causes your baby's skin or fingernails to appear slightly bluish in color. Your baby may also develop signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, such as shortness of breath, lethargy and leg swelling, because both oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood are flooding (overcirculating) the lungs.
Examples of hole defects include ventricular septal defect, which is a hole in the wall between the right and left ventricles; atrial septal defect, a hole between the upper heart chambers; and patent ductus arteriosus (DUK-tus ahr-teer-e-O-sus), an opening between the pulmonary artery and the aorta. During fetal development, this opening allows blood in the fetus to bypass the lungs. Within a few hours after birth, however, it should close. If it doesn't, oxygen-rich blood intended for the body is directed back to the lungs.
His lungs are underdevelped and had collapsed & his precious heart has a hole in it.
(Left to right) Dr. Anish Patel, Neurology Physician, and Dr. Gene Sung, M.D. Neurology Physician, examine a patient in the Covid-19 ICU at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. ( Photo / Los Angeles County)
ICU Registered Nurse, Edith Henriquez, prepares to care for Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. (Photo / Los Angeles County)
Doctors and nurses care for COVID-19 patients in the ICU and Emergency Department at LAC+USC Medical Center, July 30, 2020. LAC+USC Medical Center is part of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. (Photo Credit / Los Angeles County)
ICU Registered Nurse, Edith Henriquez, prepares to care for Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. (Photo / Los Angeles County)
There's nothing more precious than the gift of Life except God of course, and Our family was blessed with new life- Our Little Baby Gabriel on 18 November 2006 at 05:55 P.M. (note his 3 #'s- 5:55) weighing 07 LB & 11 OZ.. & he was born on the 3rd floor! I absolutely adore him! My daughters water had broken that morning at 05:40 A.M. & was admitted in the hospital at 07:48 A.M. She only had 4 hours of real labor however. My beloved son-n-law & Daughter announced the coming of our baby originally going to be named " 1) Makala" if a girl on the 23 March 2006 at 01:54 P.M. and his 1st birth due date was to be 26 November 2006. On the 5th of July we found out he was a boy to be named 2) Gabriel Patrick due on my birthday 01 Dec. Later it was announced his last & final name 3) Gabriel (private as to protect his privacy) & was due 27 November. So Gabriel had 3 different names within 3 trimesters & 3 different due dates! I originally placed Gabe under 3 special cousins care 1) Blessed Andre Bessette 2) Blessed Marie Ste-Cecile De Rome (Dina Belanger) & 3) Sr. Marie Rose Ferron- Stigmatist of Woonsocket, RI. which has now expanded to 16 cousins & all his Saint etc.. Grandparents & relatives. He was also placed under 3 Archangels care- 1) St. Gabriel 2) St. Michael & 3) St. Raphael! My daughter while pregnant at 2 months & 3 days was a victim and now a survivor of 3 armed robbers & possible a "Lookout" who held her hostage on 09 May 2006 and because of this she left her work and home to move back here with us. She would come home in her 3rd month after Gabe was conceived at the end of May the night my dog Elijah was rushed to hospital for breathing problem.. From this time, til now, I have taken pictures of Our Little Baby Gabriel growing in his mother's belly and even after birth. My daughter was so beautiful in her pregnancy & I tried to capture every moment of it with my camera that I could. His last sonogram was the 7th Nov. where it was announced that though Gabriel is due the 27th November (Monday), they would be inducing labor 21 November (Monday) on my Dads Anniversary death day but I guess Gabriel was going to come his way as he surprised us on the 18th (Saturday)!! (Again 3 different days!) While his birth was a rather easy labor, the celebration of Gabriel's birth would be postponed by another tradegy. He was whisked immediately away from us because he had trouble breathing. Poor little Gabriel would be in 3 different states & would be rushed to 3 different hospitals within 3 days! And we wouldn't get to meet our Little Gabriel til 3 days after he was born on the 20th! Even then we were not even aloud to hold him as he must be protected from 1) Light 2) Sound & 3) Touch or it could set his vital signs off! The last hospital he was helicoptered to and put on a ECMO machine in a vital attempt to save his life. It wouldn't be until 7th of December (20 days after his birth) (And on my 3rd day of my visit with him) that I would learn the true diagnosis of Our precious little grandbaby. Gabriel was born with 1) Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), 2) underdeveloped lungs, & 3) a hole in his precious little heart ("Blue Babies") (3 different illnesses). Basically, Gabriel had a hernia in his diaphram and all his vital organs in his belly came up through that hernia going up into his lung cavity pushing his left lung over into the right lung squishing it and his heart was pushed all the way over to the right side under his armpit. That is why his lungs were undeveloped. They couldn't grow. Knowing what I know now, it amazes me that Gabe was so active in his mother's belly as he would keep her up all night moving around- a bit of a night owl! Gabriels fight for life has been a long hard struggle. On the 24th November Gabriel opened up his precious little eyes for the first time. I got to video tape that. He was operated on for 3 hours the 27 November at 10:00 A.M. to 1:30 PM. It was a half hour more than expected but went very well. He received 17 stitches. They put all his organs back to proper places & tried to seal up his hernia but because it was so large, they couldn't, so they used his abdominal wall to act as a barrier seal to his diaphram. He swelled badly after this which made him at one point look almost like a "plastic doll". On the 28th November I collapsed & ended up admitted to E.R. for a blood clot on my spleen and I blew a hernia-hole in my intestine. I was admitted to the hospital on the 29th and operated on on my birthday- 3 days after admission to hospital. On my birthday 01 December while I was in the hospital myself, I would learn that Gabriel developed blood clots that were causing problems so I early released myself from hospital. Dr. ordered me to not make the trip for atleast 3 days as I wasn't strong enough yet. Gabriel was baptised 3 days after my birthday on the 4th December at 12:05 P.m. I went & stayed with Gabe for 3 days starting the 5th Dec. When I got my 1st visit that night with him, I placed special relics on him that had been sent to me- one being a cloth that had been touched to 131 Saint relics & said a special prayer. A total of 140 Saint relics had been touched to him that night. My poor daughter collapsed that night & ended up in the E.R.. They treated her and I Thank God she is fine. Unable with his medicine to control the swelling, Dr's were forced to put him on a "dialysis" type machine with new medicine on the 5th of Dec. that could shut down his kidneys in another attempt to save his life. At 1st it wasn't working to well, but the next morning on the 6th of Dec. they found a blood clot had been clogging the tube so once they fixed that he began unswelling. The last day I of my visit on the 7th he was looking so much better! They tried that day to reduce his Ecmo machine level in attempt to get his heart and lungs working on their own but were unsuccessful. His next scheduled attempt would be the 11th Dec. and reduction went well but getting him off Ecmo was unsuccessful. They attempted again on the 12th and on the 14th. On the 13th I had to rush my 3 year old dog Chihuahua named Elijah to the hospital because he suddenly had troubles breathing. Dr.'s admitted him originally for 3 days. They thought something was toxic to him and his heart went crazy raising from 120 or 160 (normal limit) to 260! I was told we may loose him. Had to sign papers to resesitate him & take out a loan to pay for him in order for them to treat him. Dr's also found a spot on his liver. So now he has 3 illnesses. They gave him medicine to calm his heart down. The next night we got a call that we can come get him as he was stable and they didn't know the cause. How strange that all 3 of us within 7 days each apart, I, then my daughter then Elijah all would end up in the hospital all put on heart machines and they day my blood clot would mysteriously disappear poor Gabe got his, and both Gabe and I would also share holes-hernias near the same area! Gabriel has reduced his ECMO level being comfortable at 200 rather than 375 but still is unable to come off the machine. When they do this, the dialysis machine will be gone too. Little Angels all over the world whom we don't even know are praying for Little Baby Gabriel as they formed a beautiful prayer circle for him and wrote us beautiful letters of love and support. I admire and am very proud of my beautiful daughter and my beloved son-n-law as they are the most courageous and brave people I know. Meet my grandbaby Gabriel who to me is the most precious little guy you will ever want to meet.. - he's such a little fighter!
The #3 thing, was not planned obviously but It started striking me odd when it kept repeatedly happening. It gets even stranger when you count that Little Baby Gabriel has 3 sets of Grandparents, 3 cats, and has 3 Rats and he lived in 3 homes this year! It has been a very strange year for us with as my daughter had 2 of her grandfathers at the same time have to go to hospital for quadripal bi-passes (Again the heart) with sadly she lost one grandfather & yet a blessing that the other one survived! 3 of our pets suffered tumors this year (my daughters 2 rats- one operated on lived the other died) and our dog Scooby Doo! And we can't forget that Little Gabriel must be protected from 1-light, 2-sound, & 3-touch!! So the old saying things come in 3's just seems to be true for us this year. I just happened to notice for Gabriel that the #'s 3, 5, & 8 seem to be his numbers if there is any truth to that at all...
Gabriel- "God is my strength"
I have little Gabriel's video up and running and the link is workable now. You can PASTE THIS WEB ADDRESS INTO YOUR BROWSER:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzmVEvl24tU
OR CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO GET TO IT:
Dr. Aaron is an Emergencry Trauma Surgeon at LAC+USC Hospital. He was photographed in the helipad, outside Operating Room, ICU, and Emergency Department at LAC+USC Hospital on May 3, 2019.
All Rights Reserved 2019. No Commercial Use.
Credit: Los Angeles County
(Left to right) Luisa Venegas, RN III, and Susana Estopier, Respiratory Therapist, care for Covid-19 patient in the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. (Photo / Los Angeles County)
Luisa Venegas, RN III, applies personal protective equipment before caring for a Covid-19 patient in the Intensive Care Unit at LAC+USC Medical Center on January 7, 2020. (Photo / Los Angeles County)
This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:
www.gao.gov/products/GAO-21-7SP
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