Major Setbacks

Today was no easy day.  When Becky and I made a decision to carry forward with Johnathon back in August, we knew there would be days like today.  However ready we thought we were, we discovered you are never quite prepared when the day is upon you.

Today we learned that the cultures from Johnathon's bronchoscopy came back positive for an infection. What kind of "bug" is it, we do not know.  We are awaiting the test results to determine what we are up against and what kind of antibiotics can fight it.  This "bug" combined with the other medicatons he is on are fueling his fast heart rate and low blood pressure.  Because ecmo can mask the systems of one being sick until they are at there sickest, we are just now seeing the effects. 

Johnathon will remain on ecmo (he is currently at 80% usage to battle the effects of the "bug") and he is receiving a broad spectrum antibiotic (until the correct poison pill for the "bug" can be identified).  Another problem the bug has created is shutting down Johnathon's kidneys.  Doctors have classified him as septic because of this behavior.  Fortunately ecmo does allow us to continue dialysis while we are still on it (swelling from fluid retention has already begun).  The infection is the main problem, so the kidneys will have to wait at this time period.

On a good note he had his first bowel movement since the surgery.  How often do you see parents celebrate a poopie diaper?  Well we did.  I hope there are many more to come (yes I do plan on changing them, its not my fault that all of the ones I have changed so far on him have been clean).