Lisa was admitted to Spohn South in Corpus Christi, Texas the week of July 12 with COVID-19 sepsis. Individuals who are seriously ill with COVID-19 have viral sepsis and it's these patients who also have trouble breathing that are admitted to the hospital. COVID-19 sepsis is especially dangerous because there are few available therapies beyond supportive care. The COVID-19 vaccination is currently the only way to prevent COVID-19 sepsis. Once the patient has COVID-19 sepsis, the vaccine has no effect and cannot be administered. In addition to COVID-19 sepsis, it was also discovered that Lisa has a bacterial staph infection and Pneumothorax (a punctured lung). Individuals with a weakened immune system due to COVID-19 are at greater risk of secondary infections such as bacterial staph infections. When a patient has a punctured lung, this means air is leaking from a lung into the area between the lungs. To our knowledge, Lisa does not meet the criteria of individuals who suffer Pneumothorax outside of having COVID-19, which indicates it's directly related to COVID-19. Like a punctured tire that has not been repaired, patients with a punctured lung require more oxygen to maintain acceptable blood oxygen saturation levels.
Convalescent blood therapy was started soon after her admission to the hospital and the treatment appeared to be progressing well until she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit on July 18th. On July 20th she went into respiratory distress and was placed in a drug induced coma, placed on a ventilator and placed on her stomach to help her lungs relax. Her blood oxygen saturation levels began to immediately improve. Over the past couple of days Lisa developed a high fever, which has been difficult to control. The hospital has made it clear that a more intensive treatment is needed called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This treatment is not offered in Corpus Christi and the family is currently awaiting confirmation from a hospital in Houston as to whether they'll accept Lisa as a transfer patient. ECMO does the job of her lungs, allowing them to rest and recover. This treatment is only used when patients are incredibly sick. As of this morning, Lisa's oxygen saturation level is at 94%, which is great (ideal is between 92% - 96%).
The children are coping well and are very eager for Lisa to recover and return home to them. Until then, Tim and Chris will continue working together to maintain their children's accustomed routines.
We ask that you keep Lisa in your prayers and direct all requests for status updates and offers of assistance to this site, which is actively monitored by designated friend and family members who will provide regular updates and provide information on the best way in which to assist Lisa's family during this incredibly difficult time. We hope this method of communicating the status of Lisa's health will keep everyone consistently updated and allow her family the time and energy needed in order to attend solely to her needs and love and care for her.
