Status quo

I think Jack's goal before he gets out of here is to get every specialty involved in his care. Today he was seen by cardiothoracic, pulmonary, infectious disease, and otolaryngology. Interestingly, no sign of the orthopedic team, yet they supposedly "own" him. Because of the amount of blood we were suctioning and his history from last summer, the ENT did a bedside scope, with pulmonary looking on. He did not see any area of concern in the trachea - so, at this point they want us to be careful suctioning. They always want to blame it on suctioning (aka, the parent), which I know is not the issue because there is nothing different about how I have been suctioning the last two weeks, versus the last seven years and we've not had this problem before. It's all a guessing game and very frustrating.

The ID docs are taking the position that the infection must be in the hardware -- since they can't find it anywhere else. So, Jack will be on IV antibiotics for 6 weeks and oral antibiotics for a year. Gee, think we'll have any yeast related problems with that?

I fly home tomorrow and will fly back here on Thursday, unless I need to get back here sooner. Mark is a little nervous about having to relay information to me because he knows I'll be grilling him regularly and he is not good with the details. Should be a challenge for both of us. :-)

I want to thank all of you for taking the time to check on Jack, for leaving your words of support, for your prayers and for all the gifts, cards and food that have been sent. Jack's room is full of balloons and teddy bears and I have been well supplied with chocolate and diet coke! I can definitely feel the love and support of all of you and, without question, you have carried us through the last 2 weeks. Thank you!!

I'll continue to update, but after today ... my information will be coming from Mark. God willing, there won't be much to report!