Saturday, March 8, 2008

Come out, come out wherever you are...


Sorry for the delayed post but I have been gone most of the day while Aunt Paige (from Pheonix) had some bonding time with the little guy. Charlie had several tests done today in order to figure out this dang fever. He had his blood cultured, snot cultured, and urine cultured (which involved a catheter), all of which were unpleasant and came back negative. So, that only left one more fluid in his little body to culture---his brain fluid (CSF). The neurosurgery resident came in and inserted a needle in his head where the tube comes out to get a sample. It didn’t seem to hurt Charlie very bad because Rob said he just moved his feet. The first report is that it looks clear (if you watch “House” on TV clear means it’s not infected- but as we have found out this is not necessarily true in real life). She also mentioned that the pressure must be OK because the fluid just dripped into the syringe slowly. We will take any good news no matter how small---right? We will find out in the morning what the gram stain looks like and then they will culture the sample of fluid for the usual 48 hours. His oxygen has been dropping a little so he has been put back on 1L of O2 through a nasal canula (tube in his nose) instead of the blowby (funnel shaped thing by his head). The respiratory therapist was called in to do a more thorough suction and she said he has a weak gag reflex and even coughed some. His coloring is a little paler and he has been sleeping a lot. Good news is that he has only had one storm today because he has been so sleepy and all the tests so far are negative for infection. Bad news is the tests so far are negative for infection and he still has a fever. I was really hoping to find an infection elsewhere so we didn't have to look in the brain.

11 comments:

Roxey said...

Thanks Ang. We'll keep up the prayers that you might find some answers very soon. I, too hope there is infection elsewhere that is more easily treated.
Love and prayers,
Rox

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! I was really getting worried. I will be anxious to hear anymore results tomorrow. Take a deep breath and know that I pray diigently for as does the rest of my family. I wish I could give all of you a hug and somehow relieve some of your anguish! May angels continue to attend each of you.

Anonymous said...

I have been so worried as well that there has been no update today after hearing about the fever this morning. LIttle Charlie must be exhausted. I hope that tonight brings some peaceful slumber for all of you. God bless.

Meghan said...

oh, bless him. if the fever is related to the shunt will it show in the gram stain? of just checking for infection there too? sleep good. tomorrow is the day of rest, right? xoxo

Meghan said...

ps-does char look like max in that picture to anyone else?

Charlie Cooper said...

Is it the red hair? He got a fresh dose of betadine (red color) on his head when they drew the CSF fluid tonight.

Charlie Cooper said...

yes - and the big eyelashes and nose. looks very maxish to me. sweet sweet boy... love him.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there. Each time something new comes up I'm sick...it's time things start going your way.
B

Andrea said...

Did they check his ears? Could it be an ear infection?

Andrea M

Pearl Jammer said...

All I have to say is WOW!!! It's great when people live up to what they are billed as. I'm in Abu Dabbi now and this place is retarded. Cant wait to get home.

Pearl Jammer said...

All I have to say is WOW!!! It's great when people live up to what they are billed as. I'm in Abu Dabbi now and this place is retarded. Cant wait to get home.