Kolt Krueger and Family

Hi, my name is Brittany. My best friend's (Tabitha) nephew Kolt is in the PICU at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay (see story below) Kolt is only nine years old. His family could use the community/family's help with some funds. They have three other kiddos at home, with 2 being little ones. Michael (dad) and Nessa (mom) both work and have to be off at this time to be there for Kolt. Unfortunately, with little ones, Nessa has had to be home while Michael stays at the hospital. They are also driving back and forth from Shawano to Green Bay to care for Kolt and bring his big sister to her hockey practices. A special thank you already to the people helping with the kiddos and transporting them for their activities. Also, for helping with meals, etc. I hope this helps a little more as this family deserves it! They are a big part of their community and hope that the community can give back. I know everyone is struggling in this world right now, so if you can't monetarily help, please send prayers, love, and hope.

Kolt went into urgent care for a common cold that worsened last week Thursday (10/20). He was sent home. He went into the emergency room Friday morning and was diagnosed with croup, given a breathing treatment/steroids and sent home. He was sleeping a lot which they thought was a good thing, but then he became unresponsive, and was rushed to the emergency room again on Saturday. It was apparent that he needed to be med-flighted to Green Bay for more extensive care. Per updates from his family, he was diagnosed with Para flu, croup, pneumonia, and a collapsed lung. They intended to insert a chest tube on Sunday but needed to do it right away Saturday night. Even with a BiPap, his O2 has been in the '80s.

Here are some updates from mom since (I will put the newest on top):

Tuesday Morning (10/25) Kolt is headed in the right direction for the most part. He is entirely off of the blood pressure medicine. He is getting some different sedation meds as the one he is currently on is becoming less effective. He has opened his eyes and been moving a little. The nurse said he seemed very uncomfortable when he opened his eyes. He is now getting some food through the NG tube, along with a medicine to keep things moving. Since he is on sedation meds, they can slow down digestion. He is still taking some breaths on his own but not as frequently and as deeply as they'd like. They upped the ventilator to 40% last night. It is down to 35% now in hopes it will be back down to 30% later on today. His potassium was low this morning, so they added something for that. There's too much to remember. His labs are still pretty all over the place. The IVIG transfusion should he done today and they will redraw labs after that. He also has the leg squishers, as I like to call them, to help prevent blood clots in his legs from not moving. That's all I can think of at the moment.

Monday (10/24) Kolt is doing ok and stable. Not too much change from yesterday. He had an IVIG transfusion. His bp has been really good so they are lowering the meds for that. His urine output is way better than it has been. He is on a different spectrum of antibiotics to help the sepsis. Very little fluid coming from chest tube. They will monitor another day. If he still has minimal output, they will clamp it for a day. As long as fluid doesn't accumulate again, they will then remove it. In about 2 days they will look into reducing the ventilator. That won't be coming out any earlier than Friday. Then will still be a few days of recovery from that point if it comes out on Friday.

Sunday Night (10/23) Found out he actually went into septic shock. This is why his BP went from high to dangerously low very quickly. They did an echo on his heart. There was some damage. It isn't pumping as hard as it should be. But with some meds and rest, it should be able to heal and get back to normal within a few days. He will have a repeat echo in 3 days. He will be intibated at least 2 days. They increased the meds that they are using to keep him sedated. When they were moving him today, he did open his eyes briefly and moaned. They asked if he wanted me and he nodded yes before he fell back asleep. ❤ Made me happy that he knows I was there. They are backing off of the blood pressure meds because it has been getting higher. He is still feverish. They have been emptying his stomach over time and within 2 or 3 days will start feeding him through the NG tube. They are also increasing his potassium to get those electrolytes. We are looking at no less than a week stay for him.

Sunday (10/23) I (Nessa) am at the hospital now. The nurse gave me the run down of all of the tubes and IVs. It's a lot. He has the tube and vent to help him breathe. Good news is it's only at 30% so he is doing some breathing on his own. He has a central line in his neck with lots of meds to stabilize his blood pressure and meds to keep him asleep and comfortable. Chest tube on the left currently but his right lung also looks bad. He has strep A also and is septic. His organs are ok right now and his body is trying to fight this. Some other things that I can't remember right now.... We are looking at a week long stay, possibly longer.

Sunday Morning (10/22) Update on kolt. They meant it when they said it'll get worse before it gets better. They decided to do the chest tube last night. His bp was high yesterday now it tanked to 60s/30s. He has an iv in his neck for medicine to help his bp. Now they had to intibate him. I feel so helpless and mike is really struggling at the hospital. I just want him better and home.

<3 We all love you Kolt!