Acronyms, Antibiotics and Anxiety

NTP– Supplementary Feeding used to treat malnutrition rates which exceed 15%. Doctor has ordered this after Megase was used to stimulate his appetite unsuccessfully

TPA– Tissue Plasminogen Activator is a protein which helps to break down blood clots. His TPA is currently ordered and will hopefully unblock the line so he can receive his Chemo through it tonight. As an enzyme, it aids in the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, the major enzyme for clot breakdown. RN’s are utilizing this tonight as they are unable to draw blood from Ashton’s Broviac (Hickman Port). There is a dye study scheduled for tomorrow to see if there is a blockage somewhere. Tonight’s blockage ( or inability to get blood from him) is  preventing him from getting Chemo through his Broviac. If they cannot clear the lines, he has to get chemo thru a vein in his arm tonight.

Meropenem : Ultra broad-spectrum injectable antibiotic. “The Big Gun” of antibiotics. Ashton is being treated as if he has an infection in his intestines, though cultures won’t be back until tomorrow, April 11. They started him on this today. He is also on three other antibiotics, including an anti-fungal. The kid has more medicine and poison in him than blood, preventing stem cell testing on him.

C-DiFF– The average human digestive tract is home to as many as 1,000 species of microorganisms. Most of them are harmless — or even helpful — under normal circumstances. But when something upsets the balance of these organisms in your gut, otherwise harmless bacteria can grow out of control and make you sick. One of the worst offenders is a bacterium called Clostridium difficile (C. difficile, or C. diff). As the bacteria overgrow they release toxins that attack the lining of the intestines, causing a condition called Clostridium difficile colitis. (source: WebMD) Ashton is being tested for this, as well.

X-Ray- Yep, had one of these today, too. Good news: internal organs look good. Bad news: impacted bowels.

April 12 is his last dose of Chemo for this first round (ten days). His white count did not make it to zero during this first round, however, his ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) is ZERO. <that’s a good thing and a terrifying thing, all at once.

Ashton had fever last night of 105 and again this morning at 430am. Up and down throughout the day, landing at 845pm Eastern Time at 101.

Chemo is normally at 5pm EST. proceeded and followed by many preventative meds. It is now nearly 9pm and we have not yet begun. Another long night is ahead of us.

I posted this because some people want to know. Some people don’t want such details. I am a better writer than speaker right now. So, I continue to encourage my friends and family to keep up with his progress on this site unless you can be here during rounds every morning.

I am focusing on what’s right in front of me and it’s a little boy who is very sick. I’m sorry I don’t text and return calls. I try. I try to get on FB because it’s like Happy Hour for me. It helps me get out of my head.

 

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.

Blessed Art Thou Among Women

And Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners.

Now and at the Hour of Our Death. Amen.

St. Raphael Prayer for Healing
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court,  you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of  the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.    Because you are the “medicine of God” I humbly pray  you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that  afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor to heal my son Ashton, beseech the Lord. And for the great grace of purity to prepare  me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.