From Hospital

Hi,

So the blood results shows improvements in some stats and worst in some. We did received the information on phone, the blood culture shows signs of infection, we have no details but it looks like grape like growth. Hopefully, tomorrow we have the name for infection.

She is still on antibiotics, and the doctors are keeping their fingers crossed, they are hoping the antibodies, they had already administered should cover any infection that may show up tomorrow. We have been moved to isolation room for now.

She is showing some improvements though, had a toast today and now talking. Yesterday she could not move a muscle.

Thanks.

Canadian Family,

We are hoping that things will improve overnight.  Please keep us posted - our thoughts are with you.  All day I have been logging on just hoping to hear that she is doing better now. 

Best,
Sharmin

C.F.

Perhaps they are looking at a staphylococcus infection (grape like growth) ? 

Sharmin

She is in my prayers  ,most of us are parents and can understand what you are going through,wishing her a speedy recovery,lots of kisses for your angel.

Zaini.

Thank you Zaini and Sharmin,

"staphylococcus infection" appears to be the right answer, the nurse indicated it to us. We have to confirm it with the doctor. I am not sure how long it take to treat it.

The problem we are facing is her low potassium and phosphate (already discussed in this forum), she is in McMaster Children Hospital rather than Sick Kids. These people do not understand thalassemia in detail, their concentration is on the low quantities of these minerals as well. I keep telling them the Exjade and its side effects, hopefully they will contact Sick Kids today and talk to her hematologist.

Her next blood test is at 9:00am today, will try to update again.

Good luck with the next test,if she goes to sick kids for transfusion,why don't you shift her there,as the doctors there must be familiar with her history and it might help controlling the situation.

Zaini.

Hi Zaini,

We tried sick kids first, there was no bed available at that time and our local hospital found the bed in McMaster, we had no choice because we didn't want to wait. I have already left a message with the Sick Kids to contact McMaster with details of her results.

Thanks.

Canadian Family
wishing you a really good luck. knowing a diagnosis is much better now, hope the test goes well and everything will be under control, i am still praying

manal

Canadian Family,

I had just assumed that she was at Sick Kids, but lets hope that once the doctors at McMaster get her information from her hematologist they will understand how to best treat her. 

Are her mineral levels low because of Exjade?  How is her hg holding up through all of this?  I hope she is able to eat and drink more today.  Let us know how her tests go.

All the best,

Sharmin

Hi,

The latest blood test shows her blood PH is high, phosphate is 0.26 (s/b 2.5-3) and her Bi-carb (no idea what it is) is 19, which is also low. The inital blood culture report shows staphylococcus Areus bacteria, but still doctors are waiting for final blood culture report. Canadian Disease Control have been informed as she must have contact with something with Steph bacteria and they are launching their investigation. I am doubtful at the Learna (the computer school she goes to).

Also, the fluids absorption in not very good, she is retaining fluid under the skin, doctor has shown concern for that as well. McMaster is contacting Sick Kids. Prayers are required.

Thanks.

Hospitals are one of the main sources of staph infections. I hope they are investigating the hospital itself as a source of the infection. Do you know what the name of her antibiotic is?

Our prayers are with you.

We are praying for your family Canadian Family,

Sharmin

She is in my prayers,i wish i could do more,i keep checking in to see the good news of her recovery,please be strong,we are all here for you.

Zaini.

I am glad that they know which bacterium it is. I also keep chicking in to see the good news of her recovery.
I hope you can convince them to bring her to her 'first hospital'.
And yes, most of patients getting infected at hospitals. Take care and you are in my toughts. xx

Canadian Family,

Are they looking at her kidneys right now?  Because of the imbalances and lack of fluid absorption?  Hopefully this will all be transient and clear up along with the infection very soon.

bicarbonate HCO3 Nephrology A general term for any salt containing the anion HCO3–, which is the most important buffer in the blood; bicarbonate is regulated by the kidney, which excretes it in excess and retains it when needed; it is ↑ in ingestion of excess antiacids, diuretics, steroids; it is ↓ in diarrhea, liver disease, renal disease, chemical poisoning.

Bicarbonate levels are almost always done along with other electrolytes to tell your doctor whether your sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels are in balance. They may be measured as part of routine blood testing, or when your doctor suspects an imbalance. Bicarbonate may also be measured when your doctor is evaluating your acid-base balance, to screen for an imbalance, and to monitor a known problem during treatment.
When is it requested?
Bicarbonate testing may be requested, usually as part of an electrolyte profile when:
you are having a routine blood test;
your doctor suspects that you may be retaining water or are dehydrated, upsetting your electrolyte balance;
to help evaluate your body's acid-base balance (pH);
to monitor a condition or treatment that might cause an electrolyte imbalance.

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/co2/test.html

Of course many of these imbalances can be from the infection and dehydration that she suffered during her illness and her lack of absorption of the fluid they have been giving her. 

I hope that things improve very soon,

Sharmin