07.04.18 // Update

Thank you all for the kind thoughts and the requests for news about Lila. I thought this would be the easiest way to let everyone know her latest updates.

Lila got sick with stomach issues on Tuesday, June 26th. Instead of bouncing back to herself like always, she struggled and was admitted to IU North on Thursday the 28th. We learned that she is positive for E coli 0157.   

She received amazing supportive care from the staff at IU with pain management and hydration. No antibiotic therapy is recommended for ecoli of this strain.  Some cases of this strain are at risk for a syndrome called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

Lila has developed this "HUS" and was transferred to Riley downtown Tuesday, July 3rd. HUS is also untreatable. She is receiving supportive care for it as well.  Unfortunately, it will eventually lead to kidney failure.  

Her team of docs are great, and the nurses do an admirable and amazing job. Lila is being scheduled for surgery to place a catheter to prepare her for peritoneal dialysis. She will also have a shunt placed if traditional dialysis becomes needed. Her labs are trending in the direction expected, and she doesn't feel well at all despite the fact that the ecoli disease process seems to be winding up.

There are a lot of questions. Not many can be answered. In a nutshell, her red blood cells are being destroyed by the "Shiga" toxin. This toxin is on the homeland security's list of bioterror agents. The red blood cell destruction leaves waste. The kidneys are unable to filter the waste without acute failure. As is understood by many, with one organ system failure, other systems become vulnerable. 

We pray that her body fights and her other systems stay strong. There is no way to estimate how long the dialysis will be needed. We will hope for a rapid response, a short Hemolytic cycle, and no permanent kidney damage or other system involvement.

Our family wanted to take this time to share Lila's health with everyone.  I struggle with using Facebook as a tool to update those so close to us about such tender things.  I realized as she became critical that I am not able to have complete and clear one on one conversations with all who care for Lila.

We will update often, and appreciate input, thoughts, wisdom, prayer, positivity and love, love, love.

~ Becky