Waiting.....

Joey tolerated his procedure early this week very well, but unfortunately he is not doing better.  The doctors were hoping to sees some signs of improvement by now. It is reassuring that he has not gotten worse, but also concerning that he has not gotten better.

The biggest worry for Joey is infection and IF it can be treated. Right around the time that Joey got NEC they found a bacteria in his lungs. The type of organism that they found is very slow moving and can spread to other parts of the body. This same type of bacteria was found in the abscess of fluid that was drained from his belly earlier this week. The bacteria in his lungs may have spread into his belly and could have caused all of the issues with his intestines. There is no way to know this for sure or if bacteria may have always been there.

Our concern right now is if there is an antibiotic that will kill the bacteria that is making Joey sick. Joey has tested positive for a multi drug resistance. This means his body has developed an immunity to some antibiotics. This happens when you are on a lot of meds and in the hospital for an extended amount of time.

There are three main drugs that are used to treat the bacteria that Joey has. Unfortunately, he has developed a resistance to two of them. Right now our only hope is that the one drug, he is not immune to, will work. We are waiting on lab results that will tell us more about the bacteria and how immune it is to this drug.  If the bacteria has gotten smart and learned how to fight this antibiotic  then that is a major problem.

There is the possibility that experimental antibiotics could be used for treatment, if needed. Joey might not be an good candidate for them through. These drugs tend to me more toxic and harsher on the liver and kidneys, which in Joeys case are already hurting from all he has been through. If there are no antibiotics that will kill the infection we will have to have a conversation about comfort care and know that we did all that we could for him.

Whatever direction we are going, it is going to happen very slowly.  We should have an idea if it is for better or worse in the next few days.

Please pray for a quick turn around for Joey!  Good news can not come soon enough!