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BRITTNEE DUNNING
Brittnee Dunning
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On December 9, 2002, 11-year-old Brittnee Dunning of Eland,
daughter of Sandra, had come down with the flu. After two days of constant
coughing and vomiting, she was very weak and pale and complaining of side
pain. Her mother decided to take Brittnee to their local walk-in clinic.
Brittnee was diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital.
Brittnee’s condition seemed to improve; however, on the evening of December
12, that all changed as she began complaining that she couldn’t breathe.
Brittnee was in severe respiratory distress, which lead to respiratory
failure. It was determined that Brittnee needed to be transferred to the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.
While in the PICU Brittnee was put under the care of Dr. Edward Fernandez,
Pediatric Intensivist, who had to determine why a usually healthy child would
become so ill so quickly.
For nearly a week, Brittnee was in a drug-induced coma and on a special
respirator called an oscillator to assist with her breathing. She was then
weaned to a conventional ventilator and on Christmas Eve, Brittnee was
extubated. However, after 20 minutes, her breathing was again compromised,
forcing her to be reconnected to the machine. Finally, on New Year’s Day,
extubation again was attempted with success. Brittnee had to be on BiPAP to
help keep her lungs working properly, but she was eventually able to be weaned
to room air.
Although Brittnee’s condition was improving, she still had to undergo physical
and occupational therapy to regain her strength so she could walk and use
gross and fine motor skills. She was able to go home on January 10, 2003.
During her time in the Hospital, Brittnee underwent numerous tests to
determine why this had happened. A few days following her discharge, the
family received word that Brittnee was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, an
acquired disorder that results in fatigable muscle weakness. Brittnee’s
physicians feel that this autoimmune disease was the cause of her severe
illness.
Once home, Brittnee continued with physical and occupational therapy and was
under the care of a neurologist to address the Myasthenia Gravis. According to
Brittnee’s mom, “we just try to make sure she stays healthy and if there is
any sort of respiratory illness, we get her to the doctor right away.”
Brittnee is in 8th grade at Birnamwood Middle School and enjoys dance class,
writing stories and reading. Her brother, T.J. is four years old. Brittnee
encourages others to always be positive. “Keep your faith,” says Brittnee. “
Don’t give up hope no matter what.”
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