September 22, 2024
Day 3
For a weekend, last night and today brought lots of changes. Morning came early at 4 AM with antibiotic changes once the bacteria was isolated. It wasn’t the more simple answer that we were anticipating of August’ repeat bacteria. Instead, we have a new one that our current inpatient medical team hadn’t seen grown before. We’re seriously so tired of the rare.
I have to admit, this news elicited some frustrated emotions. An uncleared infection from August would’ve been easier and less concerning. This is yet another translocated infection, meaning this bacteria came from within Tate’s own body….Oral, gut or bladder. We all have it, but it shouldn’t make you sick. There is a completely helpless feeling when you are being made systemically, acutely ill by the “normal” bacteria in your own body.
Infectious disease believes both August and this current infection, although different bacteria, are likely from the same place. Our hope is it IS Tate’s mouth and some simple dental work will fix this latest round. ID focuses on the here and now, but there’s definitely a bigger problem at hand. Discussion today with the medical team is that there just isn’t a ready solution without both practical (as in spending more time inpatient) and medical (other types of virus and infections) risks.
Tate’s antibiotics were changed again this afternoon to continuous 24/7 IV vancomycin. This also means continuous Benadryl to prevent Redmans syndrome which Tate has had from Vancomycin. We are hoping to save her central line and eventually go home on continuous IV vanc. Tate will be a sleepy girl, but better home than here.
Tonight though, Tate is showing signs of edema and has high blood pressure. She’s not feeling the greatest so we are praying that this is nothing but her body reacting to the trauma and will settle in time.