Timothy update

[Kara]

Some of you have probably already heard this on FB or on my blog, but we've had another setback with baby Timothy. With the exception of a few random fevers, he had been doing wonderfully and was set to be discharged yesterday. He's 2.5 months old now and we were so excited to finally bring him home.

On Tuesday, a different doctor came on duty and just didn't feel right about discharging him without knowing what was causing the fevers. Other doctors had ordered tests, but nothing ever showed up. So she ordered a new battery of tests and it turns out that he has MRSA, an antibioticesistant strain of staph in his blood.

This is not good.

It gets even worse if the infection gets into his spinal fluid or heart. So he had a spinal tap and a heart echocardiogram to see if this is the case. We're praying hard that it is not.

The good news is that he's not really acting sick. He's content, interacting and charming the socks off the nursing staff. His fevers don't last long, just an hour or two and they come down quickly with Tylenol. But if the infection is allowed to progress, things could go downhill very quickly.

So, the best case scenario is that he'll need to have IV antiobiotics for at least 7 days. He'll need to have a PICC line put in because babies' veins often can't tolerate extended IV therapy. Depending on how advanced the infection is, he may need IVs for 14 or 21 days. All of this will be done in the hospital, so his discharge has been postponed indefinitely.

I don't want to even think about the worst case scenario. This is nasty, scary stuff.

I thought I'd update you all because many of you have asked how he's doing ... and this is the latest.

Kara

[Libby Pritchett]

I was just thinking of you and Timothy today, Kara! Thank you for the update. Will continue to pray! *HUGS*

[YepBrook]

Awww... Kara. This is such awful news. Yes, MRSA is super scary stuff. My grandfather had MRSA so I have some personal experience with it. It seems to be such a prevalent problem in hospitals these days. :( I will definitely be praying for your baby!!!!

[AmberK]

oh man...im so sorry about this. MRSA is nasty stuff- I dealt with MRSA infections for about 1.5 years and was even hospitalized with my first infection. I am praying that the infection is not too advanced and you can bring him home sooner rather than later.

[jacinda]

Aw, big hugs Kara. I can't imagine how difficult all this must be for you and the family.

[MissKim]

Oh, I'm so sorry for you and your family. I hope the antibiotics work quickly and you can get Timothy home.

[NatalieKW]

Thank goodness for that doctor and his inspiration!!! Yay for little Timothy handling it so well! Hes a little champ!! :) I hope the best case scenario plays out and y'all can leave as a whole family in 7 days!

[nesser1981]

Sending lots of prayers for you, Timothy and the whole family!!

[jessica31876]

Aww sending lots of prayers for you and baby Timothy! This is what scared me so badly when my husband was in ICU. The nurses said that it is very prevalent in hospitals nowadays. I hope everything turns out ok and you will be heading home together as a family in seven days.

[SeattleSheri]

I am so sorry! I will continue to keep him in my P&PTs!

[Lyd]

So sorry, Kara. I have a good friend with MRSA too. So not fun, and even scarier for a little guy that was already facing challenges. Hang in there sweetie! I'll be praying for you all!

[Shawna]

So sorry Kara, hope they can get the infection under control quickly and baby Timothy can come home soon!

[rach3975]

I'm sorry Timothy and your family have yet another fight ahead of you. I'm praying for the best case scenario for you. Thank goodness that doctor caught it now.

[Keely~B]

I'm so sorry Kara, I'll be keeping Timothy in my thoughts!

[abm234]

God Bless You Kara- you've been through so much already! I know he will pull through this- it sounds like they caught it early!

[kscwgirl]

Hugs and love Kara!! Praying for all of you!!!

[origami]

It sounds like baby Timothy has a very good doctor looking out for him. Sending prayers.

[kim21673]

Oh Kara! I am so sorry! I know everyone in your family was looking forward to Timothy coming home this week. I pray these antibiotics beat this fever and he is home soon!!! ((Hugs)) He is one handsome little boy! Love the new pictures today!!

[nanienamou]

Sending a ton of positive thoughts so that Timothy gets well.

[ZaCola3]

*Sigh* He is so strong and so are you momma! I'll be thinking of you and your beautiful family and crossing my fingers for the best case scenario.

[dana]

((((HUGS)))) - sending lots and lots of positive thoughts your way!

[lovely1m]

Thanks for the update, Kara. I hope you will have him home soon.

[LJSDesigns]

Dang Kara, I am sorry to hear this. I will keep praying for Timothy and the rest of you.

[marlathrall]

I will be praying healing over that sweet little guy.

[kristijoy]

OH Kara...thank you for the update. Sending prayers that the doctors and therapies are going to be the right thing for baby Timothy!

[pomi]

Praying and thinking of Timothy and your whole family a lot Kara.

[adrianka]

*hugs*

[hollyxann]

Thank you for the update. Sending lots and lots of prayers and positive thoughts to your family.

[xboxmom]

Oh Kara so hoping the IV meds work on your little guy. We will be thinking of you guys.

[Sasha]

Keeping you, Timothy and all your family in prayers...

[Lindsay]

Oh my, I'm so sorry that he (and your family) are going through this. Best wishes on the treatment so he can come home sooner rather than later.

[HeatherB]

Sending positive thoughts that the IV treatment will work quickly so little Timothy gets to come home with you where he belongs! :)

[Kara]

Well, we're not out of the woods yet, but I do have a semi-good update.

http://snaphappyscrapper.blogspot.com/2012/07/some-semi-good-news-maybe.html

[rach3975]

Yeah for a semi good update! Glad it's a little less serious than the docs thought, and praying there are no complications.

[scrap2day]

Just read Friday and Saturday updates. What a roller coaster ride you & your family are on. Praying for you all.

[carrie1977]

Sending prayers for Timothy and your family!

[kristijoy]

Sounds like you are doing a great job taking it one day at a time! Every little bit of good news is a blessing!

[julifish]

Kara - I'm continuing to send prayers for Timothy and for your family.

[Kara]

Thank you, friends. We are still trying to figure things out. It turns out that there was an error with his blood cultures and he does not have a blood infection after all. He is a carrier of MRSA but apparently that is not causing the fevers because they can't find infection anywhere. They're now testing a theory that one of his meds is causing his fevers because the timing of the fevers is frequently within a few hours of getting this drug.

He has been off it now for 24 hours and is fever-free. It's still too early to know for sure, but I really hope this is it!

[LibbysMommy]

Oh Kara - praying that it's the medicine that has been causing the fevers!! I really hope he's able to come home soon!! (((Hugs)))

[AmberK]

What is just great news! Keeping him in my prayers that he gets to come home soon!

[Coila]

Kara I will be praying for your family! I hope that you are able to bring Timothy home soon! ((Big hugs))

[scrap2day]

I hope the change in medicine will be the right answer. He looked so sweet in yesterday's photo. Praying that Timothy will be able to come home soon.