8-23-16

It turns out there was a reason for the decline yesterday, besides just this tough process in general. Last night one of his blood cultures turn positive, meaning we have an infection. So far they have narrowed it down to a certain family of bacteria but not a specific one yet. However they are very encouraged by the fact that his fever hasn't returned since the initial one, and how active he is today. They think this is a strong sign that the antibiotics we started yesterday are already covering the infection. So we will wait for the next couple of days to show what specific bacteria it is, and whether that changes which antibiotic they are using. Infections in general are not uncommon for kids going through this type of intense treatment, which is why we are here in the ICU, so things like this can be treated quickly as he is very vulnerable right now. Hopefully we start to see the cultures come back negative if these antibiotics are working. They will now be taken daily to keep track of this. Please pray, obviously, that this infection stays under control; that whatever bacteria it turns out to be is already being taken care of by our current antibiotic; and also that we can save the line, which becomes the next concern. We don't know if it's on the line yet, but that happens a lot when kids with central lines get infections. So be in prayer now that we don't get there!

Otherwise Drew is doing okay. He does seem to be doing a little bit better than yesterday, which like I said is a good sign. But in general the worst is very much still to come as his counts continue to drop. He will most likely need transfusions and additional pain meds as mucositis really starts to get intense. So far all of the medications are keeping up, and we'll keep them going until they aren't.

Drew and I really had a pretty rough night, and then to have all of this come back this morning made for a pretty bad day. I think we have gone so long with things going relatively smoothly, its hard to hear bad news. I have to remind myself that God is in control, and rest in Him who has brought us through so much already. As we go through this week and next expecting to see a lot more fevers and Drew being very sick, it will be that much more stressful to have an infection already present. I need to take each day at a time, remember the big picture, and count the many blessings we have as I find comfort and peace in Him and through your prayers and support.

Here's Drew, watching the world go by out our big windows...

~Heidi