I just wanted to let everyone know how Ethan was doing. He began showing the first signs of an infection nearly two weeks ago, on Monday, July 8. We spent all day - each day - in the Doctor’s office that week doing blood cultures and receiving antibiotics. Over the weekend, we received news that the cultures from later in the week were continuing to grow and that a second infection had also developed. This, coupled with the fact that he was neutropenic and had a low grade fever, caused Dr. Horn to leave a light on at the Inn (errr… I mean hospital) for him. We came in as soon as we talked to her on Sunday, July 14.
They’ve identified the two infections. The first is a very obscure, but dangerous graham-negative bacterial infection called Kluyvera. This is the first time the Pediatric Oncologists have seen it, confirming our suspicion that Ethan is quite the individualist. Anyway, we’re treating it with a 14-day regimen of Ceftazidime/Fortaz. The second is a graham-positive Staph infection that we’re treating with Vancomycin.
Because of the high-level of nursing care that he requires, we expect to be in the hospital for the duration of the antibiotics, probably until Monday, July 29th. Ethan’s spirits are quite high, though, and he’s enjoying this hospital stay much more than the chemo visits when he is often sick. So far, he’s been able to tour an ambulance, visit with treatment doggies, and was invited to a staff ice cream social, so he’s also got quite a busy social schedule. He’s found his favorite “Nurse Goosy” on several occasions and as if that’s not enough, one of his nursing technicians is also a volunteer fireman, so Ethan automatically adored him! He’s really creating quite a stir… Its probably not often that you’re lucky enough to have Pediatric Oncology patients riding their IV poles up and down the hallways, wearing fire helmets and making their own sirens sounds – or playing a rousing game of “Red Light/Green Light” in the hallway with whoever is accompanying him. His blood counts are also sky high (about 3x pre-treatment levels) so he enjoyed his 2nd High Blood Count Cake today after lunch.
I’ve been here (in the hospital) since Sunday, but am headed home for much of the weekend to get some time in with Kyra, who I hear is thrilled to be perfecting her new walking skills. I think Bert is also anxious to get some time in with Ethan. If you can believe it, I’ve actually been sleeping very well. By Tuesday night, Ethan decided that he wanted to sleep in Mommy’s bed (translation: chair that folds out into a very small, very uncomfortable excuse for a bed). WHAT A WINDFALL FOR ME!!! Now, if I could only figure out how to get them to bring me some food.
I’ll let everyone know if anything changes.
Regards,
Kim.