Still Fightin'

We were convinced Zoe was finally over this bug since she looks and is acting so much better, but unfortunately, the blood cultures are still coming back positive. Sometimes when infections seem to linger, like this one, the bacteria can be growing on the catheters or other tissues or bones in the body. The antibiotics apparently have a hard time fighting infection when they are attached to plastic lines or embedded in bones or tissue. They have changed her antibiotics once again to hopefully get at these tough bacteria. If this doesn't work to cleanse her blood, they'll have to pull all of her lines. This is fine, it just means she has to get poked a lot to draw blood. They will also need to reduce the glucose level in her IV nutrition while she doesn't have a central line.

The good news is that she is obviously much better so these bugs are reacting to the antibiotics. It just may take more time for her to fully beat this thing. She is so close to being herself again, we are hopeful. Last night, the nurse encouraged me to try to calm her down and to bond with her by putting my hands on her and talking with her. She was awake for about fifteen minutes, giving Mom a chance to have a heart-to-heart with her about getting well soon. She really does know my voice - the miracle and specialness of this are more than I can explain. When she started fighting to keep her eyes open, I stopped talking, let her rest, and eventually tore myself away - tucking her in in my own way.