This morning as we were getting ready to leave for the hospital to visit Griffin we got a call saying that he had spiked a temp. Fever in any 6 day old is concerning, but in a preemie it is especially frightening. Griffin currently has what we call a central line in place (a catheter in his umbilical vein to deliver nutrition since he is unable to take adequate intake by mouth) which could certainly be the source of his fever, i.e. line infection. The UVC was placed because Griffin ran out of spots for a peripheral IV. Every part of his body that could be a site for an IV is bruised from previous IV attempts. Again, it is a measure of Griffin's cuteness that even though his little head is shaved in several places for previous scalp IV's, he is still a show-stopper :). The quandry now is that we want to pull that line in his umbilicus, but he still needs IV access b/c now he has to be on antibiotics for the fever. His amazing nurse is going to try in a little bit to put ANOTHER line in his scalp. If she gets it, that will be the 5th one he has had in his head! To work up the fever we have obtained a CBC which revealed elevated white blood cells, and, most concerning, an elevated band count. His CRP, another measure of infection, is also up. He had a blood culture drawn from his line, a cather-obtained urine culture, and a spinal tap/lumbar puncture. He is such a tough guy!!! During the cath urine and the spinal tap he didn't even flinch -- he was too into the pacifier dipped in sugar water. A boy after his mother's heart -- he likes his sweets! He also had a head ultrasound to make sure there was nothing funny going on in there. Preliminary report from that looks good. So now we are playing a waiting game: waiting for culture results, and waiting for the repeat CBC and CRP to be drawn in the morning. Please keep our little tough guy in your thoughts and prayers. He has had a very busy day, and right at this moment is laying in his Daddy's arms peacefully sleeping. We will keep everyone updated as soon as possible. Thank you all for keeping Griffin in your thoughts and in your heart.
-Sheila
6 comments:
Lots of love and good wishes for you all. Griffin sounds like a fighter!
To the Mading Family,
Andrew, Emily, and I are sending our happy thoughts your way and keeping you in our prayers. He is so precious and cute. So glad I got linked to your blog so we can keep current. Hope to meet him one day.
Wendy (Emily's mom from dance)
Sheila! Little Griffin is not only absolutely ADORABLE and clearly a tough little guy, I also love how very laid-back he looks in some of the pictures Amber took. Not a very worried child. Maybe this is just his crazy way of researching a career in medicine ... you'll have to explain to him that though school gets a bad wrap from some kids, it does offer an alternative way to educate oneself!
Momma Sheila! Well, no wonder I didn't hear from you last week. :-) Congratulations on your gorgeous Griffin! Rest assured that you have lots of positive prayers being sent for baby boy to come home soon! I know this is a challenging time, but we're thinking of you and sending lots of love your way. I can't wait to have a Griffin/Carter baby playdate!
Love,
Kellie, Hudson & Carter
He isssss the most handsome little guy ever. Clark can court Regan and G can date Colette! Two matches made in HEAVEN. I look forward to having you and Fred as dual in-laws. I can't wait to visit and hold G myself. I will cry tears of happiness and laugh about how much agony he has put us through and he doesn't even have a drivers license. Stay strong my friend - I have been thinking of you constantly and in my heart and soul I feel everything is going to be fine. Warmly, Kathleen
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