We have received some results back from the blood culture they took from Jordon on Tuesday. I think that I posted once that about 20% of cultures come back positive for bacteria. They have also informed me that infections are common at some point and time during a child's treatment and about 90% of them fall into that 20% positive at one time or another. Well...Jordon is now one of the 90%. They have confirmed that he had a line infection. What that means is bacteria somehow entered his port and began to grow. Let me just mention, they are VERY careful at Children's. They always use alcohol foam when entering the room and wipe off the lines for 15 seconds with alcohol wipes before using them. I believe that this is just something that happens in every hospital because germs are EVERYWHERE. In fact the type of bacteria Jordon had was Klebsiella Pneumoniae which comes from the ground and can be found on shoes, floors and walls. Because of the bacteria Jordon began to run a fever (they tell parents that with a fever a child needs to be brought into a local ER immediately). The doctors then explained that when Jordon's port was accessed again, and when fluids/antibiotic began to run through it, the bacteria was pushed through the port. Since the port is a central line, the bacteria entered his body and spread throughout his body immediately. This caused his body to shake and induced vomiting. The doctors call this type of reaction a "septic shower". Again, children that are immunocompromised cannot fight bacteria on their own and this must be attended to immediately.
When this happens, hospitalization is necessary and long. Before going home Jordon must have two straight days of clear labs and not be neutropenic. Well today and yesterday he was neutropenic (no immune system). Once his numbers are better, and if he does not have a fever, we will go home. He is disappointed, to say the least (he was anxious to attend a benefit for him this weekend), but still taking it like a champ. He has not felt sick once since being at Children's. Usually sepsis causes SEVERE pain (since the entire body is consumed by bacteria). We are thankful that Children's were in careful contact with the local hospital and took action quickly to have Jordon treated before any permanent damage happened.
Jordon asked me today what people do if they don't believe in God and who they talk to. Jordon knows he was being looked after and is being looked after by the only Healer that can offer him protection 24/7. I am thankful that we are not in this alone because we can't be everywhere, see everything, know everything, but God can.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Psalm 91:4-6
Jordon earned his wings!
Fireworks outside hospital window.
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