fever still high. gram positive cocci

Last couple of days is probably the hardest since the initial 10 days of induction.  The blood culture positive result is very worrisome as bacteria and fungus infection can be very invasive for septic patients.  They have to rely solely on the right kind of anti-biotics to help fight.  We have heard and read too many horror stories from other ALL parents.

I'm doing some reading on antibiotics.  Lucas's initial blood culture turned positive after 14 hours and they identify the bug as gram positive cocci .  Lucas has been on broad spectrum Zosyn (Piperacillin/tazobactam, a Penicillin combination) since admission.  He started Vancomycin that also treats the nasty MRSA bugs.  I also learned the term febrile neutrophenia, a condition of combination of fever, infection, and low ANC, seen often in cancer patients receiving chemo drugs.  Lucas's ANC has been around 200 and his fever is still on with three doses of Vancomycin.  His second blood culture is still negative after 18 hours -- which is what we want to see.

We want to see his fever subdues today and second and subsequent blood cultures stay negative.  Even though the doctor told us the bug Lucas has in the blood is very common (healthy human beings wouldn't need antibiotics) and easy to treat, it's still scary when he still has a fever that Tylenol hasn't helped to subdue.  Lucas's hemoglobin was 8.1 yesterday afternoon and he got a blood transfusion as they foresee further dip as he gets more IV fluids (kind of a dilution effect).  We haven't seen any significant improvement in energy or appetite.   We hope he will feel better today and have some energy to get off bed a little and eat more.

The doctors don't think he will continue his chemo next week.  Most likely we won't come back for Chemo until the Monday after next.