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Brynn Duncan’s condition worsens, surgery needed
Published 12:00 p.m., September 10, 2008
Brynn Duncan
Brynn Duncan has endured more at the age of seven than most will survive in an entire lifetime.
In a story published in the September 4 edition of The Daily Journal, it was reported that Brynn, a Moorhead native, had sustained injuries including a damaged kidney, a severed intestine, a bruised heart and a torn spinal cord resulting from an August 18 accident on the corner of Union and Fir Avenues in Fergus Falls.
On September 4, things looked to be on the upside for Brynn, who, although not having gone through all of her surgeries, was said to be in the recovering stages at the Hennepin County Medical Center in the Twin Cities.
Shortly thereafter, Brynn’s condition suddenly took a turn in a very serious direction.
On September 6, Brynn’s temperature reached 101 degrees and frequent vomiting began to threaten her level of nourishment, prompting alarm among family members and medical staff. By the evening, Brynn’s fever had reached 103 degrees and the vomiting failed to cease.
Brynn was given Ibuprofen for the fever, which temporarily led to a decrease in her temperature to 100.6 on September 7. Cultures were taken to determine the source of infection — the cause of the fever.
Although her fever soon raised to 102, it was determined that a fungal blood infection from the catheter was to blame — a relief for the family to have pin pointed the source.
An anti-fungal medication was administered to Brynn, but the family was warned that the infection did have the potential to spread to the heart and the eyes.
On September 8, Brynn’s fever reached 103 and her heart rate began to elevate. Her fever then spiked to nearly 105 and her heart rate hit 185.
Brynn’s medication was changed and her pic line was removed, as the medical team was concerned that it could be another possible source of infection.
A decision was then made to perform surgery on Brynn in the afternoon, in which her kidney and ureter tube would either be repaired or removed. While mentally preparing for surgery, the family was informed that a blood thinner given to Brynn earlier be harmful to the surgical procedure if done within 12 hours. And so they waited.
On the evening of September 8, Brynn’s temperature remained high as her infection was still present. The family was also informed that Brynn was suffering, on top of everything else, with pneumonia in both lungs.
By the very early morning of September 9, Brynn’s fever had gone down to 99 and her heart rate had decreased to 128. Brynn was taken to Surgery around 7:45 a.m., while her family members, who had driven from around the area, waited and prayed for their little gal.
While in surgery, Brynn’s kidney, appendix and gallbladder were removed. Although she lost three liters of blood, the doctors said Brynn had done well, pointing out that her tissues were very healthy. The only issue that stood in the family’s way was the possibility that swelling caused from blood loss could mean the doctors may have to open her abdomen if fluid results in her inability to breathe with ease.
Again, the family waits and prays that Brynn will make it through.
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Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by daidres (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone needs to keep Brynn in their hearts during these days to come. She has a long recovery ahead of her, but seems to come through everything she has been faced with so far! She is truely a miracle!
Posted by success (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My thoughts and prayers are with Brynn and her family. God Bless.
Posted by LoisMustDie (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fellow Christians, PRAY for this child!
Posted by ProudGrandma (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a member of Brynn's family, by her side through these days and nights, she is doing well. The lack of swelling since the surgery yesterday has been nothing short of miraculous. We are so grateful for the love and prayers that are being sent to Brynn.
Posted by moonsparkle (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are praying for this sweet little girl and her family. Please keep us posted on how she is doing.
Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
May God surround this family, and keep this dear little one from any further complications.
Posted by Babygurl4 (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Brynn's family...Everyone is pleased to have such a wonderful little girl in this world and we want her to stay in this world..tho she has been through alot...Our prays are with her and the family!! Stay strong little women!!
Posted by waterlily (deanna goodman) on September 10, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HANG IN THERE BRYNN!!!! WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Posted by metasonics (Jamie Cooper) on September 10, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I met a young man named Dawson Rude who overcame Cancer and having a Kidney Replacement, My own son has had surgeries on many occasions. most likely Brynn is going to pull through just fine.
I know it's frightening for the family and Brynn right now, but stay strong, I assure you she has more strength in her than anyone can imagine.
These kind of operations have been done so many times, with such a success rate, that the odds are definantly in her favor.
my prayers for Brynn and her family!
Jamie Cooper
Posted by classof76 (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How is the Grandmother, Linda Duncan doing? Has she recovered physically? What about prayers for her? I can't imagine how she must feel, being the driver of the vehicle when her granddaughter was critically injured.
Posted by break4coffee (anonymous) on September 12, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerning questions on Grandma Linda's condition, she was released from Merit Care last week. Physically, she is doing well, but of course, this has taken an emotional toll on her. She came to see Brynn as soon as she was released from the hospital and there were pictures of her and Brynn hugging on the Caring Bridge site. She is loved by both sides of the family and we continue to keep her in our prayers and have asked others to as well. As anyone can imagine, this has been traumatic for her.
Posted by LCE (anonymous) on October 14, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a cousin of Brynn and I would just like to thank everyone who has written in, and is praying for Brynn. We, as a family, feel very blessed to have such an extensive support group praying for Brynn. As the article points out, Brynn has extensive medical issues, I wont go in to detail but most everything is mentioned on the caring bridge website set up her. caringbridge.org/brynnduncan Thank you all for your support, we truly appreciate it and we know God is going to continue to heal Brynn!!!! She has come so far!
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