A few weeks ago, we told you about a young girl who suffered a brain injury, leaving her dependent on ventilator support and artificial nutrition and hydration. Her injury was so severe that the hospital believed she was brain dead and insisted on doing several “apnea tests” during which patients are removed from the ventilator for up to 15 minutes so check for a breathing reflex. The test can result in further swelling to the brain, so the girl’s family asked the hospital not to perform the tests.
The hospital ignored the family’s wishes and proceeded with two apnea tests. About five minutes into the second test, the girl took a breath! This indicates that she still has some brain activity. In the weeks following, the girl demonstrated other signs of brain function, including responding to basic commands. Still, the hospital insisted on doing yet another apnea test.
We consulted with a board-certified pediatric neurologist, who said a third apnea test was not in keeping with standard medical practice, since the girl clearly did not meet the criteria for brain death. Our team then went to court to get an order prohibiting the hospital from doing any further brain death testing.
The family has now found a long-term rehab facility that will accept the young girl as a transfer patient. However, she needs a proper feeding tube (g-tube) before she can be transferred — which the hospital refuses to provide. The parents are desperate to get their daughter out of the current hospital.
Over the past few weeks, the girl has made amazing progress, far beyond what doctors initially said she was capable of — but she needs specialized therapy to increase her chances for further recovery. Please pray that the hospital will agree to provide the feeding tube so she can be moved to a facility that will offer her the treatment she needs.