Intubated on the ventilator
On antibiotics
On anti-seizure medication
Having continuous EEG monitoring, this monitors his brain activity to tell us if he is having seizures
Getting pain and sedation medications
Getting lots of breathing treatments
Getting Tylenol and Motrin for his fever
What we see: a restful angel who likes to wake up every once in a while and remind us why he is called Mr. Wiggles! He had a great night. Woke up for the nurse a couple of times. He has opened his eyes and moved his arms and legs. I am so thankful for that. His blood pressure maintained through the night with the support of the pressors. They have been able to stop them now and he is maintaining a good blood pressure on his own. He still has a fever but is mostly controlled with medications.
I spoke with the pediatric intensivist (ICU Doctor) today. His chest X-ray has worsened. His blood and sputum cultures are negative. Basically, this is not a bacterial infection and is not influenza. He most likely has a virus. The X-ray is most likely worse because he aspirated during the seizure and he is also intubated, sedated, and not moving around. We are going to try his chest treatments where we shake him with a vest to help loosen the secretions. The doctor is going to start him on a steroid. Hopes are that this will help boost his immune system and give him extra help to fight the virus. He is considered to have sepsis.
Sepsis is a condition in which the body is fighting a severe infection that has spread via the bloodstream. If a patient becomes "septic," they will likely have low blood pressure leading to poor circulation and lack of perfusion of vital tissues and organs. This condition is termed "shock" and is sometimes referred to as septic shock, when an infection is the cause of shock. This condition can develop either as a result of the body's own defense system or from toxic substances made by the infecting agent (such as a bacteria,virus, or fungus). I got this off of emedicine.com.
So, all in all he is not out of the woods yet. Like the doctor said yesterday, it will get worse before it gets better. So today might be a trying day but I know how well he responds to steroids and after two doses we will probably see a whole new kiddo. The plan is to keep him intubated today and tomorrow and then reasses after that. He keeps waking up so they re-started his versed drip. This is the one that keeps him asleep. He has remained on a fentanyl drip throughout. He is having some issues with edema (swelling), but he is peeing most of it off!
Joel and I are maintaining. The grandparents have been here to help. Emotions come in waves. It is hard to think that he was just in the hospital less than a month ago. I spoke with the ENT office and Dr. S. said we can still pursue his salivary gland surgery if he is extubated this week otherwise we will have to postpone it.
Thank you for all of the support and prayers. Logan is so blessed to have so many people rooting for him. I will keep you posted.
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