February 12, 2014

Well we knew there would eventually be a bump in the road of this journey and we have finally hit a pretty big one.

Evan's cultures have returned positive for a common staph bacteria that lives on the skin.  It was introduced into his port during normal access.  No matter how clean and disinfected the skin is prior to access there will always be a few that pass through.  Normally this is of no concern as the immune system (white cells) take care of the invaders except when there is no immune system which is the case with Evan.  He will be closely monitored as this type of infection if not kept in check will be a disaster for him.  He will be receiving IV antibiotics for the next 7 days every 6 hours and his temp will be monitored as well as cultures taken to make sure that the bacteria do not take a strong hold.

Evan is receiving two different antibiotics to combat the infection.  Drug one is Cefepime given one gram IV every 8 hours and the other is Vancomyacin given 355 MG every 6 hours.  I believe it is akin to using a grenade on an ant hill but whatever works I am all for it.

CDC visited Evan and Meg in the late afternoon to check on him and to check on the policy and procedures used for port access.  The person explained it is a simple as Evan breathing out while the port is accessed for this to happen.  The bacteria are in the port and the antibiotics are used to flush and clean the port of the bacteria.  If they cannot get rid of them then the port must come out and a new one put in.  I really hope the course of antibiotics works!

I will post progress notes as I get them from Meghan.