Hearts are Hurting XI

Sept. 28 12:25 p.m. (Mountain time)

Posted 5 hours ago

I just did an update and I think it is lost somewhere in cyberspace. When we arrived at the hospital this morning we were told that Kori suffered heart arrithymia once during the night and then again this morning. She was shocked each time to return her heart to the proper rhythm. That wasn't the news we wanted. She is still on the ventilator, but there is some hope she will get off today. She hasn't had any problem with bleeding, which was a major concern. She isn't out of the woods for bleeding problems, but it hasn't been a problem so far. Kim just came out of Kori's ICU unit (only 2 at a time, please) and said they were trying to bring her out of sedation. Every time they do that, she gets uncomfortable and her pain level increases. Her body has been through so much, 2 open heart surgeries in less than 2 weeks and various other procedures. She needs time to allow her body to recover. Please continue to pray for Kori and Doug and Kourtney. We do appreciate your comments and encouragement.

If you would like to leave a message for Kori or her family, please get me your email address (using the comment post on this update) and I can give you the info to log on to her website. A fund has also been set up for tax deductible donations for Kori at Stockton Nat'l Bank. If you wish, send them to the SNB, c/o Kori Bigge Medical Fund, PO Box 511, Stockton, KS 67669. I am in the process of setting a date for a chili luncheon fundraiser...watch the posts for more info. ~Resa

Hearts are Hurting X

Even as far away from the situation as I feel, this sure has been a day spent on edge. I cannot fathom her families' emotions as they ride this roller coaster!

Sept 26 4 p.m. (Mountain time)

Posted 2 hours ago

Kori came out of surgery at approx. 3 p.m. The surgeon said overall, it went well. They discovered a hole in Kori's heart that had to be repaired. The surgeon said that this was minor, compared to everything else. He also said that the right side of her heart, previously the healthy side, has also suffered from the strain of working so hard. Hopefully, it will recover. The surgeon seems to think that Kori doesn't have Peripartum Cardiomyopothy. He thinks she just had a major, major heart attack. He said she shouldn't have survived. It was good that it happened with a cardiologist right beside her. We can see Kori in about 15 minutes as she is now back in ICU. They are most worried about bleeding in the next few days and will probably keep her sedated through the weekend. On the other hand, they want to get her awake as soon as they can to check her cognitive function. The chance of problems there are more remote, but still are a concern.

If all goes well, Kori will probably have a transplant by the end of the year and will have to stay in Utah for another 6 months after that. For about a year, someone will have to be with her at all times. There is a remote chance (probably very remote) that her heart could recover and that she would not need a transplant. I can tell you that is what her Dad is praying for. Please contine to pray for her.

Hearts are Hurting IX

Well, I sure wish I wasn't up to the ninth post on this topic. Kori had surgery this morning...here are the details:

Sept. 25 10:10 p.m.

Posted 11 hours ago

I just prepared an update and when I attempted to post it, it disappeared.I will try again. Kori will undergo surgery at 6:30 a.m. Utah time (7:30 a.m. our time) to implant a permanent Lvad device in her chest. This device is battery operated and will allow mobility. This is deemed a "high risk" procedure. The Doctors are concerned about bleeding or a possible stroke. The plan is for her to be in intensive care for next week and then move to a regular room. At that time, she will start some type of rehab, but I am not sure exactly the nature of it at this point, She will have to stay in Salt Lake City for 60-90 days, but should be able to leave the hospital. This is all prior to any transplant.

Kori has suffered additional damage to her heart, after the heart attack on Sept. 13, evidently yesterday morning when she underwent the procedure at Hays. That may partially explain why the nurse reported that Kori was doing well and her heart was working and then 5 minutes later Dr. Benton said she needed to be transported and prepared for a transplant. There is still a possibility that Kori's heart could recover, but instead of 50% it is now less than 10%. It would be nice for some good news for a change.

Please pray for Kori; she needs your prayers now more than ever. Also, keep Doug in your thoughts and prayers. This is very difficult for him. Kourtney is with Doug's sister Beth and her family in Russell. We know she is in good hands.

Hearts are Hurting VIII

Not good news this time around. My heart just weeps for Kori and her family. This post if from her dad, Tim. Her mom is Marilyn and sister is Kim, all mentioned below.

Sept. 25 11:30 a.m.

Posted 42 minutes ago

Marlyn just called from Salt Lake City. Kori had a very rough flight last night. They had to fly at a low altitude because her body wouldn't tolerate normal ones. An echocardiogram was done this morning and showed the the left ventrical wasn't working. She will have surgery tomorrow to inplant the permanent Lvad unit and they are starting the process for a transplant. Kim and I will fly from KC tomorrow. This is all too much to take in. Every time we think there is hope, we get bad news. Kori was such a strong, healthy person. How could this happen to her?

Me & My Midwives

So this post is a short break on Kori's updates, though I did see she is on the plane to Utah tonight and her family is feeling very discouraged after today. Your prayers are appreciated!

I have a predicament...first of all, being the natural gal that I am, I have been under the care of just the BEST group of midwives for the last six years. They practice with a group of physicians in Kansas City so I really get the best of both worlds. Eric appreciates that our babies have been born in hospitals (for backup emergency care) and I love their natural approach to pregnancy and childbirth.


The problem is, this time around, the midwives at this practice are no longer attending births or providing pre-natal care. Super bummer! Basically it boils down to the fact that I really, really, really like my midwife and the philosophies of midwifery and don't like the office telling me I have to see a MD instead (can you visualize the stomping of my feet?!). I actually have my second visit tomorrow (and first sono) and am deep in debate whether to stay at this practice or switch to somewhere else where I can be under the care of a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife).

Okay, now that I type all that out, it seems obvious that I just need to put some effort into finding a new midwife (sob...I want Jeane!). The doctor they assigned me to is great and all...and probably more granola than most, but it's just not the same. I keep thinking about labor & birth and imagine having one of the other dr's that I know nothing about being on call and there for only the 5 minutes it takes...bright lights, no soft music, bossing me around. With as fast as I had Kai, they probably won't even make it to the hospital in time anyway...I'm hoping WE make it!

Okay, see...blogging is just good therapy...now I know I need to start a new search for a midwife (like I really have time for all of that), but I think I'll feel much better about everything. BTW, baby is 16 weeks now...according to babycenter he/she is about the size of an avocado and I should be able to feel the flutterings anytime...I'm excited--but not about the fact that I can barely squeeze into my "big" jeans!

Hearts are Hurting VII

Sep 24 10:40 A.M.

Posted 15 minutes ago

A QUICK POST.....KORI'S HEART FUNCTION IS STILL AT 30%. THEY ARE GETTING PREPARATIONS AROUND TO TRANSPORT KORI TO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. IF ALL PLANS COME TOGETHER, SHE SHOULD BE THERE BY THIS EVENING.

I AM SURE TIM WILL POST MORE LATER, BUT I KNOW SO MANY HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR HOW THINGS WENT THIS MORNING.

PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR KORI, DOUG & KOURTNEY AND THEIR FAMILIES.

-HOLLY (I think this is Doug's sister)

Hearts are Hurting VII

Sept. 22

Posted 33 minutes ago

The test results were positive, but not quite as good as we had hoped. The left side of Kori's heart is now functioning at 30%, not the 40% we had hoped for. They didn't take her off the Lvad machine. The plan now is to try again on Wednesday. Dr. Benton said this was still encouraging. One part of the left side of her heart isn't "squeezing" as strongly as it should, but, hopefully, it will improve. This afternoon, Kori will be allowed to see Kourtney. Kourtney hasn't seen her Mom for 10 days. Please continue to pray for Kori, Doug and Kourtney.