Ten days ago, I was helping Haley with a bath, and when I went to wash her back, I noticed that her incision looked more puffy than usual. The next day, I brought her to our family doctor, who agreed that it looked like it might be getting infected. She was put on antibiotics. She had been running a fever, and the next day, it was higher, and her incision hurt worse. She called the doctor's office and the nurse said to come in right away. I was at practicum (for grad school), so the lady who was with her took her. Meanwhile, I called Dr. H's NP and she said that she would try to contact him (he was in the OR). He called me and found out that Haley was at Dr. Marsh's office, so he asked me to text him Dr. M's number. He called just as Dr. M was getting ready to lance the incision. He agreed with this and when it was opened, clear fluid came out (lots of it.) It continued to leak that evening, and the next day, Dr. M came to the house to change the dressing and change the drain that he had put in. When her removed that drain, a huge gush of fluid came out (it looked like when a baby is being born!) Her fever went up and up. (Got to 103.8)
The next day, Dr. M again came to the house to change the dressing (Who has a doctor like this??) and he decided to call Dr. H. It was decided that we should go to our local hospital to have some blood work, chest x-ray and urinalysis done. All were normal, and the ER doc called Dr. H to let him know. He then wanted a spinal tap (LP) done, which they did with CT scan guidance. When they did, there was very little spinal fluid in her spinal column and there were white blood cells in her spinal fluid (not normal.) At that point, it was decided that Haley needed to be transferred to Maryland to Dr. H's hospital. They called an ambulance, and we left Harrisonburg at 1:00 am, following the ambulance all the way. We arrived at the Maryland hospital at 3:15 am and they put Haley in isolation. (Note: technically, when there are white blood cells in the spinal fluid, it is considered to be meningitis, although in this case, they said it was viral, so not nearly as serious as bacterial) Dr. H was notified, and Haley was finally put in a room. Larry and I were very tired, as we hadn't slept all night, but he did fall asleep on the tile floor in the ER (which I could not make myself do!)
Anyway, at about 8:00 am, Dr. H came in and said that he had had a cancellation and he was posting her for surgery. She went to the OR at 11:45. He came out a few hours later and said that all went well. The valve on her shunt had completely disconnected from the shunt, so fluid was flowing straight into her back, and out onto the sheets, etc. He said that he had never seen this happen before. (Imagine, Haley with something unusual...)
She stayed in the hospital until Wednesday evening, and has had a terrible headache and neck and back pain since. Yesterday she started with a fever again, and when Dr. M found out, he ordered the PICC line (that she still had in) removed. He believes that it is infected. He told her that she will probably have this awful headache for another two weeks and that she will feel terrible body aches too, from the meningitis, for as long. (This is the part where I find myself saying, "Can't this kid get a break?" but I try to just roll with it. Some days are easier than others.)
So there you have it. Would you please continue to hold her up in prayer? She is scheduled for tethered cord surgery on April 14th and I hope this is all cleared up by then. Also, if I can be so selfish as to ask for prayer, please pray that I can get all of my practicum hours in by the end of the semester. I am in grad school to be a nurse practitioner and am scheduled to graduate on May 7th. I'm grateful for the many who have volunteered to come and sit with Haley while I am out, and it's been a comfort to know she is not alone. Also, many have brought meals by, which has helped us tremendously. Your love and concern are greatly appreciated!
Here are some pix of our latest adventure:
No comments:
Post a Comment