A bad day

Ok, here is what we know… the bacteria that is causing this infection is the same one that caused the last central line infection, not good news.  Four weeks between infections is just not normal, nor is it acceptable.  The original plan was to salvage the current line since it is not that old.  However, today changed all that.

This morning she was just not as perky as she was yesterday and she was laboring a little bit to breath.  At rounds we talked about really staying on top of her pulmonary status and making sure that it didn’t get worse.  The plan was for me to go ahead and go home for the day and the docs would call if they needed me.  The other problem discussed at rounds was that one of the cultures had started growing yeast but at that point this morning, everyone was hoping that it was a contaminant.  So, I left at about 12:20 knowing that she was in good hands with Steve.  I was 20 minutes down the road when the hospital called and said that Keyan’s temperature was starting to rise, but everything was fine.  I continued on my way.  Five minutes later, the hospital called again to say a second culture had also grown yeast, which meant it was a true infection.  They were consulting infectious disease and would call me back.  By the time I made it to watch Jamahl dive, Keyan had a temperature of 104.7, heart rate between 180-200, and was in distress.  I decided to watch a little diving and than go back up to the hospital, knowing that nothing happens quickly at a hospital.

Just as I was leaving to go back, the hospital called and said they were taking her into peds sedation to remove the broviac and place a different kind of line right then.  The ICU doctors would call me when she got there to get verbal consent.  I drove as fast as I could safely go, knowing that she would want Paul and I there, but that Steve is such a comfort to her.  Just as I was pulling into valet parking(because that is the closest way to get there), the doctor called.  I was literally throwing money at the valet girl, money was flying everywhere and Paul was just headed in.  It was quite the scene.  We ran to the sedation room and went over everything.  I think Steve was relieved to give the responsibility over to us!

So, at the end of the day, Keyan now has a second infection that must be treated with a different type of IV medicine.  Her broviac was pulled and replaced with a CVL, which of course you can’t go home with!!!  If everything stays smooth, she will get a third kind of central line on Friday with the plan being to come home as soon as we are out of the woods infection wise. This is not what we wanted to happen.  Yeast infections can be hard to treat and very stubborn.  The next 24 hours will tell us more about how the infections are progressing and what our new plan will be.  Besides the fevers, the most disturbing thing for me is that her tummy is extremely distended.  We have stopped all tube feedings and are hoping that her tummy will start to go back down but it looks like she is about to explode.  She is uncomfortable, requiring a little bit of oxygen, is tired of being poked and prodded, and just plain feels crummy.  But, as soon as she had come out of sedation, she asked to watch a movie (her coping method of choice) so I know that my girl is still with us! 

Thanks to all of you who took my frantic phone call today to tell you about the situation.  I didn’t feel so alone!