Update #57

Sorry for the lack of posts for the rest of the day yesterday. Dave is doing really well. The doctors identified two of the bacteria that are causing the infection yesterday and a third this morning, and they have changed his meds to be the most effective to treat them (using a total of five meds, one of which is antifungal). The strain of bacteria that they identified in his blood this morning (the last culture they were waiting for) was MRSA, a resistent form of the staph bacteria. According to the doctors, because Dave has been in the ICU for as long as he has, a staph infeciton was almost inevitable. They are monitoring his temperature and blood pressure, and so far, the meds seem to be helping quite a bit. Because the bateria is a resistent strain, he will most likely be on at least some of the antibiotics for up to a month.

The good news on his blood pressure is that he is completely off of his blood pressure meds, and everything is holding steady. Considering the fact that he was on full strength as of Friday night, the progress is incredible. His white blood cell count is also going down. No decision yet on dialysis, but they are continuing to monitor his kidney function.

Dave's platelette count has been down a lot (healthy people have approximately 200,000 platelettes - Dave's got as low as 12,000 yesterday). He has been getting blood transfusions and had one round of platelettes administered yesterday, but the doctors are very hesitant to give him too many platelettes because eventually his body will start forming antibodies and destroying the new platelettes before they can do any good.

Dave had another ultrasound on his foot this morning, which is still very swollen and tender. It will take a few hours to get the results, but be praying against abscesses in his foot and leg and that there are no additional blood clots anywhere else.

Another prayer request - we did finally hear the report from the retinal specialist, and it sounds as if Dave's retina is not detached. That being said, the damage seems to be coming from the pinched optical nerve, which Dr. Nagy, one of the residents, told us this morning may make the blindness in his right eye permanent. Another "wait and see" situation - please be praying that Dave will begin to see out of his right eye again sometime soon.

In spite of the infection and all of the unknowns, Dave is doing really well. He is very talkative (and we're getting REALLY good at reading lips) and seems to be feeling much better. He is awake, coherent and in good spirits, and the doctors and nurses are very impressed at the progress he has made since Friday night. Keep praying that the infection will go away quickly - I know it would make Dave very happy to be able to enjoy another Icee again soon. :-)

Love you all,
Kendahl