Welcome to our CaringBridge website.
This site has been created to help friends and family stay updated on Theo's journey of healing and recovery. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most. Thank you for visiting.
Saturday, June 10th was a fun-filled family day for Theo. He spent it enjoying friends' graduation parties and hanging out with neighbor friends. But Theo's neck hurt. On Sunday, June 11th, he was feeling under the weather and he stayed home from church and rested. That night he gave kisses and "I love you's" and was tucked into bed with hopes to feel better in the morning.
The next morning, Theo's condition had gravely changed and he required emergency assistance. He was immediately treated by medics and transferred to Swedish Hospital in Edmonds. In the emergency room, they began numerous tests to help understand what was was affecting Theo's health. He was in critical condition and was moved to Swedish First Hill where a wonderful team of Doctors and Nurses fought to stabilize him. He was surrounded by his parents and loved ones and we were praying for God's Hands to work miracles. He was on full life support and survival was minute to minute. At this time, the incredible team at Seattle Children's Hospital was called upon to help manage his care. A full team arrived to evaluate and he again took another ambulance ride-this time to Seattle Children's Hospital.
Theo has been in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) this past week receiving top notch pediatric care. We still do not have the answers to what has contributed to his illness. No stone is being left UN-turned and the team is working diligently with hopes for some answers. There may be some contributing viruses that have been identified such as Rhinovirus and Respiratory Enterovirus. The Medical team is still unsure if these viruses are the real cause. So far his recovery has primarily been complicated by incredibly sick and injured lungs.
He has been on continuous breathing support due to excess fluids, inflammation, and fragility of his lung tissues. This past Thursday, Theo's oxygenation levels continued to trend down. The team decided to place him on Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). ECMO is the use of an artificial lung (membrane) located outside the body supplying oxygen into the blood and then carries this blood to the body tissues. It is a modified form of heart-lung bypass and is used for a longer period than the machines used in the operating room during open-heart surgery. As Theo's Doctors have stated, "his heart is STRONG" so this machine is primarily offering lung support for him.
On this therapy, Theo remains sedated and receiving pain medications continuously- this is allowing him to rest comfortably while his lungs heal. We are so proud to share he is showing positive neurological signs!!! He can open eyes and follow simple commands, and as of yesterday he was nodding his head yes/no and mouthing words!!! God's Grace is shining down!! Theo continues to be monitored closely in the PICU, he has his own specialist caring for the ECMO machine and a bedside nurse and respiratory therapist watching him 24 hours of the day. We pray for their strength and knowledge as Theo continues to have supportive care.
Theo's other organs are doing quite well and seem to be bouncing back. He has required a few blood and plasma transfusions to help with clotting and his kidneys are responding nicely to the medications to help lighten his body of excess fluids. Fever is trending down and his oxygenation is slowly improving. All very good and hopeful signs!!! He remains in critical but stable condition at this time.
Many people have asked how they can help our family. We deeply appreciate the kind words, prayers and love you all have been sharing. At this time while in the ICU Theo is unable to have visitors. Please respect their privacy. Please feel free to leave a message of encouragement on this site to Theo and his family. If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit
http://www.gofundme.com/theoarmentrout Please note, donations made through this CaringBridge site do NOT go to the family, they directly support this website.
Go to this link if you'd like to help provide meals:
https://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=HDMD0212 Thank you for your prayers, faith and support!
