Journal entry by Jenne Kendziora —
As our family continues to be at Rex Hospital, we thought it would be helpful to post updates on Jennifer's progress for all of those who know and love her.
Friday night at home, Jennifer said goodnight to the kids, went into the bathroom, said, "ouch" and hit the floor. Michael called for Rachel who came in and called 911 with Rylee. Michael took over the phone while the 911 operator walked through how many compressions to do on Jennifer to get her breathing again, which her amazing daughter Rachel did. Yes, her 20 year old daughter is responsible for saving Jen's life. She was able to get her oxygen quickly enough to make it possible for the EMT crew to resuscitate her again once they arrived. They had to use the paddles twice, but she was now breathing again and headed into Ambulance to Rex where she remains since Friday evening. Neighbors stayed with Rachel, Rylee and Jacob while Michael rode in the ambulance with Jen.
This causes a large amount of trauma to her heart, which means since Friday evening her heart has been very weak. Her heart is currently operating at 10% capacity. Fluid was building in her heart and lungs, which caused doctors to start dialysis on Saturday. Blood pressure has been a concern with several drops too low, and at times, too high. Her heart just does not have the strength to do its job pumping blood to the rest of her body, therefore the doctors added what is called an impellum pump. This pump is giving her heart a rest and doing the work for her heart. Currently the pump is at max capacity and pumping approximately 3 liters per minute for her. This is great. Throughout this entire time, Jennifer has been on a ventilator. She remains on a ventilator as of this first entry, which is now Sunday evening. The impellum in conjunction with several medications continue to keep all of her vitals in check.
The good news. Today she can hear her family. She could tell when her sister Tonia was cleaning her face and was able to nod a yes and a no to questions. When Rachel and Rylee, her Mom, her Dad, her husband, her brother, her pastor, friends, anyone is in the room, her blood pressure spikes because she knows we are there and she nods. She remains sedated because she needs to be in order to let everything connected to her do the work on her behalf. Everyone is hopeful for more progress quickly, unfortunately nothing about this healing process is quick. When they are able to remove the ventilator or decrease the impellum capacity, these will be excellent signs of improvement. Her kidney function has greatly improved. Today was a good day for positive signs, and I know Jennifer would say this is due to GOD hearing your prayers and she's telling us she is fighting!
As more changes occur, we will add to this post to keep all of you posted on her progress. Keep those prayers coming, she needs every one of them and we have no doubt they are being answered.
*the why this happened is still unknown. It was cardiac arrest, it was not a heart attack or a stroke.*
Sincerely,
Tonia Rolison
Mickey Kendziora
Michael Pendergraft
Jennifer Kendziora (as she would say, the 2nd, because she is the original)
Friday night at home, Jennifer said goodnight to the kids, went into the bathroom, said, "ouch" and hit the floor. Michael called for Rachel who came in and called 911 with Rylee. Michael took over the phone while the 911 operator walked through how many compressions to do on Jennifer to get her breathing again, which her amazing daughter Rachel did. Yes, her 20 year old daughter is responsible for saving Jen's life. She was able to get her oxygen quickly enough to make it possible for the EMT crew to resuscitate her again once they arrived. They had to use the paddles twice, but she was now breathing again and headed into Ambulance to Rex where she remains since Friday evening. Neighbors stayed with Rachel, Rylee and Jacob while Michael rode in the ambulance with Jen.
This causes a large amount of trauma to her heart, which means since Friday evening her heart has been very weak. Her heart is currently operating at 10% capacity. Fluid was building in her heart and lungs, which caused doctors to start dialysis on Saturday. Blood pressure has been a concern with several drops too low, and at times, too high. Her heart just does not have the strength to do its job pumping blood to the rest of her body, therefore the doctors added what is called an impellum pump. This pump is giving her heart a rest and doing the work for her heart. Currently the pump is at max capacity and pumping approximately 3 liters per minute for her. This is great. Throughout this entire time, Jennifer has been on a ventilator. She remains on a ventilator as of this first entry, which is now Sunday evening. The impellum in conjunction with several medications continue to keep all of her vitals in check.
The good news. Today she can hear her family. She could tell when her sister Tonia was cleaning her face and was able to nod a yes and a no to questions. When Rachel and Rylee, her Mom, her Dad, her husband, her brother, her pastor, friends, anyone is in the room, her blood pressure spikes because she knows we are there and she nods. She remains sedated because she needs to be in order to let everything connected to her do the work on her behalf. Everyone is hopeful for more progress quickly, unfortunately nothing about this healing process is quick. When they are able to remove the ventilator or decrease the impellum capacity, these will be excellent signs of improvement. Her kidney function has greatly improved. Today was a good day for positive signs, and I know Jennifer would say this is due to GOD hearing your prayers and she's telling us she is fighting!
As more changes occur, we will add to this post to keep all of you posted on her progress. Keep those prayers coming, she needs every one of them and we have no doubt they are being answered.
*the why this happened is still unknown. It was cardiac arrest, it was not a heart attack or a stroke.*
Sincerely,
Tonia Rolison
Mickey Kendziora
Michael Pendergraft
Jennifer Kendziora (as she would say, the 2nd, because she is the original)
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