SamBeller.org
Welcome to Sam's New Web Site! We will continue to add more news and neat stuff, but in the meantime there's lots to check out--including recent photos of Sam, the full archive of journal entries dating back to 2000 when the site originally launched, and links to resources for families with special-needs children. You can also send a message using the contact page, submit comments on your favorite entries, and join the e-mail list to be notified of special Sam news!
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Sam Is At Medical City PICU
Sam was admitted in the the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday November, 9th. The doctors are calling this a Broncho-Pneumonia: It is caused by the bacteria Strenotrophamas Maltophilia (not that that helps anyone who’s not a doctor, but it’s interesting trivia). This bacteria is a dinosaur in the pseudemonus family that is resistant to a few antibiotics. It turns out he was on the right antibiotic before we switched to Levaquin over the weekend.
Since his admission, they’ve started an IV for fluids and for giving his antibiotics. He’s on two antibiotics, Bactrim and Cipro.
He’s doing much better on the hospital ventilator. The home ventilator has limited features, but does fine for most occasions. The hospital ventilator has improved his comfort. Sam’s not grunting anymore, and his respirations and heartrate are good. He’s on the ventilator constantly right now and is in no shape to start weaning him off of it. Finally today he’s beginning to loosen up so he’s getting stuff out. Before today he’s been so tight we couldn’t get anything out of his lungs.
No idea how long he’ll be in the hospital, but at least through middle of next week.
While we’re in, we’ll try to get some “re-diagnosing” tests performed: blood test, perhaps a “needle test” for checking on Myasthenia Gravis. They’ve done a heart sonogram, and have arranged consults with his Neurologist and with a Geneticist. We’ll keep everyone informed.
Thanks for your prayers!
(0) Comments