Child in need of holiday cheer
Photo courtesy Make-A-Wish
PAIGE LENTO, lower left, is currently undergoing treatment for pneumonia at a Bangor hospital. Here she is pictured during a Make-A-Wish event this fall with her sister, Chloe, and parents Kristina and Peter Lento of Easton. Paige suffers from jeune syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects bone development.
EASTON — A local Make-A-Wish child is in need of a few prayers and some Christmas cheer, as she undergoes treatment at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Paige Lento, the 7-year-old daughter of Peter and Kristina Lento of Easton, has been undergoing medical treatment for breathing complications since last weekend — first at The Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle and later transported via ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.
What began as pneumonia, progressed quickly, resulting in her need to be hospitalized.
Her father made the trip with her, with her mother traveling down in a separate vehicle she’d made arrangements for their other daughter, Chloe.
“Paige and I arrived at EMMC Sunday. She took a quick turn for the worse and had to be brought down by ambulance. She’s doing better but was intubated and on a ventilator,” said Peter.
Since her arrival, Paige has been in pediatric ICU, where she was kept on the ventilator for the first few days at EMMC.
“The vent did all the breathing for her in the beginning, which was good because she was working so hard to breath,” said her father, noting doctors were working to find the best method of treatment and were considering sending her to Boston.
“She’s been fighting pneumonia and respiratory issues for close to two months and Sunday her body just couldn’t do it any more and she required the ventilator,” he said.
On Monday Peter said doctors told him Paige was “holding her own.” She was expected to stay on the ventilator until Wednesday.
“That was the earliest the doctors considered removing her from the machine. They’re still doing all kinds of tests and monitoring her inside and out,” said Peter, noting his daughter is gradually becoming more alert and noticing the gifts and messages that have been steadily arriving.
“Paige received a very special gift — a T-shirt signed by soldiers returning home. Every one of them signed it and added words of encouragement to ‘keep fighting’ and ‘feel better.’ It brought tears to my eyes,” said Peter.
Kristina Lento shared a message with friends on Facebook, letting them know how her daughter is doing.
“Paige is resting comfortably and just working on getting better. Her blood pressure is much better and she’s not anywhere near as swollen and puffy as she was earlier,” said Kristina.
“It doesn’t sound like we’re going anywhere for a while. The docs are keeping all of her Boston specialists up-to-date and none of them have demanded we be sent to them, so I’m guessing that means she’s doing just fine here,” continued Kristina. “I have no complaints; the staff here have been great and it’s much closer to home.”
Her parents said Paige is becoming more aware and nodding or shaking her head but remains “mostly out of it” for the most part.
“She won’t remember any of this when she’s allowed to come off the sedation meds,” said her mother.
Kristina said her daughter’s “a fighter” and though groggy, has been trying to “yank things out.”
On Tuesday, Peter said he awoke to see Paige’s eyes open and looking around.
“She wanted the TV on. They’re taking her off one medication that is continuous and putting her on one that they give when necessary to limit her fluid intake. She is very anxious to get the tube out,” said her dad.
Peter said most of her tests remain the same, “but we’re still hoping the tube comes out Wednesday.”
He expressed gratitude to the many individuals who’ve sent Paige gifts and cards.
“Thank you to everyone for your prayers, support and good wishes that keep coming our way. It’s incredible to see the number of people that have come together in support of her recovery,” said Peter, promising to keep the updates coming via his Facebook page.
Paige was born with what is called jeune syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the way a child’s cartilage and bones develop. Paige has been through countless surgeries and procedures. In addition to pneumonia, Paige is dealing with failing kidneys. Anyone wishing to send a Christmas/get well card can do so via mail: Paige Lento, Room 873, EMMC, 489 State St., Bangor, ME 04402-0404.
“We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. All the love and support means the world to us,” said Peter.
