Our Quiverfull - Turning the corner

Nov. 28, 2007

Turning the corner

It looks like Noah is finally taking a turn for the better. He is looking much better, his fevers are much lower, and his repeat blood cultures haven't grown anything out yet. If those cultures stay negative, then we will have saved the broviac and won't need a new one.

He is still in a good bit of pain from his leg and needed a lot of painkillers but the swelling is down which is a hopeful sign. He is also sleeping a lot as his body works hard to fight off all of these infections. So far the doctors have identified four (!) different types of bacteria in his blood and urine, including e.coli. The bone marrow cultures aren't growing anything out, unfortunately. I.D. is working on the assumption that the bone infection was caused by one of these other four bugs that caused the sepsis, so he will need to go home on full antibiotic coverage for all four. He will need IV antibiotics for at least 8 weeks by current estimates as well as a great deal of follow up.

Right now our biggest challenges are getting rid of the fevers altogether and getting his antibiotic dosing correct. He is not metabolizing the IV antibiotics as well as he should. In other words, the actual amount in his blood is quite low compared to the amount he is getting, so they are having to increase the vancomycin every day. They also have to draw multiple labs per day which can't be taken from his broviac (so they are ouchies). Once his levels are acceptable, I.D. will recalibrate his doses into every 8 hours instead of every 6 hours so we don't have to do antibiotics and benadryl in the middle of the night. We'll then need to follow his levels on the new schedule to be sure that he is maintaining high enough amounts in his system. Once that is all straightened out and once he shows no sign of infection anywhere but his leg, he can go home. This will probably be early next week if all goes well.

Jeff is feeling better today which is great news. I have an ultrasound tomorrow afternoon here in Greenville and he is going to pick me up and take me so we can spend some time together. It should be a 3D ultrasound and I am hoping for some great pictures of Baby Abigail. Noah kept both hands and both feet in front of his face for every single 3D ultrasound we had until the week he was born. We kept wanting to see his little face and couldn't until a few days before he was born. That picture was worth the wait and it looked just like him! (BTW, we aren't having 3D ultrasounds for "fun." It is part of the frequent follow-up I have because of my diabetes and "advanced maternal age" We do enjoy them, though!)

Noah and I had a very long night last night with him being in a lot of pain. It seems much worse at night, probably because he rolls and moves more in his sleep and ends up hurting himself. His sweet nurse came in this morning and asked if she could take him and play with him for a little while and encouraged me to go take a walk or get something to eat. I went to Starbucks (no surprise LOL) and got some much-needed caffeine while Noah enjoyed being spoiled rotten. Our pastor came up to visit around lunch time but Noah and I spent most of the rest of the day snuggled in the recliner napping on and off. He is just finishing some IV benadryl and is probably ready for another nap, so I am going to sign off.

Thank you all SO much for your continued prayers, especially for the long road he has ahead with this femur infection. We are thankful beyond words that Noah is bouncing back yet again from being so gravely ill. His fighting spirit amazes us all and we praise God for His faithfulness and His obvious healing touch on this sweet baby.

Love,
Kate

• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!

Comments

Nov. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by DandelionSeeds

Praise God! Praying still...