Heidi Andringa

Friends and family, thank you for praying, loving, and supporting Heidi and our family. It will mean so much to Heidi, as it does to us. 





The background: Heidi was admitted to Wesley Long Hospital on Monday night, May 15th after a long-lasting virus had evolved into a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, etc. Doctors immediately diagnosed her with double pneumonia, and shortly thereafter discovered she also had sepsis. She improved somewhat with antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and other medications so they moved her off of the step down unit and into a regular hospital room. 



Throughout Wednesday night (May 17th), however, she was having a lot of trouble breathing, her heart rate was very high, and she was extremely anxious and disoriented. A chest X-ray indicated that the pneumonia was more widespread and they moved her to the ICU. 




Thursday morning, May 18th, Heidi was seen by the pulmonary specialist; her oxygen was adjusted and they started a new additional antibiotic. She continued to decline (respiratory effort continued to increase and oxygen levels decreased) and early that evening the pulmonologist diagnosed her with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). She was sedated and put on a ventilator, which will hopefully allow her lungs to rest and heal. Also, a central line was placed to help monitor her fluid status and for more efficient administration of medicines.