Questionable Progress

Today was a busy day for our sweet boy. I got to the hospital to find out his white count today was 32.5 - that's doubled from just two days ago. I was sooo frustrated. He still had a PICC line in (like a long IV that goes further in your vein) that was there when his blood cultures were positive for pseudomonas. No one wanted to pull it at that time because he is a hard stick (it's hard to get IV access on him). When his blood cultures turned negative they wanted to believe the line was cleared from infection (that PICC wouldn't draw blood, so a culture couldn't be drawn from it). I think today probably proves it wasn't cleared. SOOO, Dr. G said if someone could get two IVs in him, he would pull the line. I asked if I could call the girls (some of my friends from Mediflight). He said "Sure, I don't think you would be stepping on anyone's toes by doing that." My friend Lori came up and was able to get two IVs in two sticks. YEA!! The line was pulled this afternoon. I'm bracing for a higher white count tomorrow - that's what has always happened after his infected lines have been pulled. However, Mav got a dose of antibiotics about 2 hours before the line was pulled. Dr. G said that would be a good time to pull it, because the antibiotic level should be at its peak. I would love to be surprised by a lower white count. The feeding tube is still an issue - he didn't go to radiology today. Dr. G tried to replace it this afternoon once and it wasn't in the right place. He tried again after I left, but I haven't heard the results yet. His bottom is still bad. They are adding zinc to his regimen of medications to see if that will help. Greg and I talked about it tonight and I'm going to Walmart tomorrow before I go to the hospital to find a somewhat firm pillow that I can manipulate to make a hole in so his bottom doesn't come in contact with the poo. We'll see how that works. Mav's blood gas was pretty good this morning - they have weaned his rate to 21. We have to get this infection under control to get him weaned off. Thanks for you thoughts and prayers - jc

Just in - the tube is in the right place!