Infections

Just a reminder that this is "medicine according to my understanding".

This week while at the hospital, Odette developed a fever.  When a cancer patient gets a fever, that usually means that there is some type of infection in the body and since they don't have the immune system to combat infections it is important that what is causing the infection be figured out quickly so the correct medicine can be given.  The first thing that is done is a blood culture is drawn to test for the type of bacteria.  Instead of waiting to see what grows, an antibiotic is started.  They choose one that has a broad range of coverage.  For Odette we usually start Fortaz, Zosyn or Gentamyacin (remember I can't spell).  Sometimes, like this week, we start two of them.  Each day cultures are drawn until the cultures come back clean (not growing anything).  If there are enough positive days of growth, there is a chance that the central line is where the infection is residing and then that would have to be replaced.  They assure me that this doesn't happen all that often, but is a possibility.  Since they want to check if it is the line causing the problem, they will draw blood by "poking" Odette so that the blood doesn't travel through the line.  The antibiotics are usually continued for two weeks unless other issues arise (we pray that they don't).

For three days in a row this week, "stuff" has grown in her cultures and finally today we know what "bug" it is.  It is called Klebsiella pneumoniae- doesn't usually cause pneumonia. It is usually susceptible to the antibiotics we had started, but for some reason this time it isn't, so we have started a different antibiotic and hopefully the fevers will stop.  You wonder how on earth Odette would get such and infection?  I know I sometimes wonder to because the hospital is suppose to be "sterile".  However, most of the bacterias that make her sick are from herself.  They are the common flora of her body, but when her counts are low they move to places that they aren't commonly found and are not fought off because her body is incapable.  Hence she gets sick.  (Yes it is annoying because it doesn't matter how much you clean with Clorox, Lysol and Bleach, you can't protect her from herself.) 

It is funny, but you would never guess that Odette was sick with an infection.  She is laughing, playing, squealing and breaking her fluid lines.  She gives big loves to all the nurses and doctors and tries to leave the room in her walker every time the door opens.  She is one tough cookie.