Line Infection

*Sigh* On Tuesday Dominic felt warm to me so I took his temp in the afternoon and it was 100.9. Rick and I were debating on whether to take him to the ER or not because it didn't seem too high to us, but on all of our paperwork from being discharged from the NICU, it says if he has a temp of 100.4 or higher to take him in, so we went. In the ER they took blood labs and checked him out and then sent us home with a follow up appt for the next day. So Wednesday I take Dominic back to the hospital for his follow up and everything looks fine- keep in mind this whole time he's acting totally fine... smiling, staying awake, eating, and pooping... normal stuff. So far the labs were negative for any bacterial growth and they send me home with some tylenol in case a slight fever pops up again. As I'm pulling onto base the Dr. calls and says the blood cultures have now grown something and we need to come back for a dose of antibiotics. Back we go (this is a long, annoying drive straight through DC- ugh). We get his dose and they take more blood to make sure this really IS an infection.. he's acting so happy and well that they think there was a contaminate and he doesn't really have an infection. We're scheduled for a follow up the next day for his second dose of antibiotics and to see what the lab results say. Thursday I take him BACK to the hospital and they get the results: positive. Dominic definitely has a line infection, and they want to admit him. We spent Thursday and Friday nights in the hospital for his antibiotics and let me tell you, never go to a hospital to try to sleep. It's ridiculous that Dr's even tell you to rest and try to get better when you're there because it's impossible. Now we're home and his home nurse came last night to show us how to administer his antibiotics through the line here at home. He's supposed to be on them for 2 weeks if that last blood culture was negative.
Moral of the story??: If my baby has even a slight fever I need to take him in, especially with this hardware in his chest.

On a happier note, at last weigh in Dominic weighed 9lbs 4oz, which is AWESOME!! His Dr. also upped his feedings to 3oz every 3 hours, which is making Dominic happier and life at home a bit easier now that he's not as hungry all the time! Also, we're weaning down on the Reglan and te TPN, with the hopes that in the next 2 weeks we might be able to pull the broviac out all together! That's optimistic thinking and will only happen if everything goes perfectly, but it's still a light at the end of the tunnel.

Please pray that Dominic keeps tolerating his feedings, that the infection goes away, and that we can get him off all this medicine soon! Also, the antibiotics give him diarreah so let's pray that it doesn't get too bad for him- we need him to absorb his food and nutrients!!! Thank you all!!

Stephanie