8 Oct 2008, 10:32pm EST
I'm asking for your prayers tonight....Kara's temp. is elevated again....99.4*/99.6* orally. One more degree, and we have to make a phone call to Dr. Malik, her Oncologist in Knoxville who's been taking care of her here. Who knows what is going on....hopefully nothing new...trying to think of what it could possibly be....not sure if it's due to the possible chicken pox exposure, because she still has a couple of days we need to watch for breakouts, or if it's something like a sinus infection brewing, because she still has a runny nose, or if it's something with her eyes (we've noticed them looking swollen and her right one looks particularly red underneath), or if it has something to do with the bacteria. When you are waiting on cultures, the Hospital will call if something grows. So, since we haven't heard anymore about Saturday's cultures, I am assuming that they are still negative. She hasn't been as perky today, and she "just doesn't look quite right through her eyes" if you know what I mean. Please pray for her to get over whatever might be going on in her body.....Thanks, we appreciate it!

Megan

Please pray for these 2 children and their families 2-nite, they have received horrible news, and I'm sure they would appreciate your prayers.....
Sydney Ives
Mary Kate Rushing

Please keep remembering Caleb Parsons, and his family, too.

THANK YOU!

8 Oct 2008, 10:38am EST
Still no word that a bacteria is growing on the 2nd blood cultures from Saturday. They have a 5 day period of testing the cultures....so far, so good. She is still acting like she feels good. I take her back to clinic on Oct. 20th, to make sure the bacteria is cleared up.

We went for a walk last night....from where we were walking, you could see the interstate...when Erica mentioned this, Kara decided she wanted to go to the interstate....we didn't venture that far.....Tony picked us up in the car, and we headed back home. It was time for her i.v. antibiotic again.

I know I sound like a broken record about the accutane. With this round, her side effects (red, dry, peeling, skin) seemed to be worse around the time she was in-patient, but it seems to be pretty manageable with the lotion. When home health delivered her meds last night, I mentioned it to the nurse. She said it could be the antibiotic is adding to the side effects. We also showed her Kara's skin on her chest where her bandage and tape is at for her central line. When I changed her bandages, and cleaned her skin, it was a little red. We use alcohol swabs to clean with, so you can imagine it did bother her when we used those, but now it is really red, and raw-looking. The nurse thought it was an irritation to the tape we're using...(it's the same bandage/tape that we've always been using, though.) It looks like it would be sore, but she doesn't complain, and when we ask if it hurts she says no. I'll probably try to use an antibiotic ointment on it.

We're tyring to play it low-key around here. Pray that we get a break with the infections, and fevers for a little bit. It seems like every month that we've been home, we've had Kara at the e.r. for something. First it was a virus, then strep throat, now this bacteria in her blood. I started lysoling the kids' backpacks when they come in from school. I called her Oncologist in Knoxville about getting her flu shot. They have them, and can give it to her, they are just checking with St. Jude to make sure they want her to have one. I'm hoping we have smooth-sailing this winter.

About her eating....Kara is still doing pretty good, and we noticed her little tummy is pooching out. I love it! Well, gotta go for now. Have a great day!

Megan

6 Oct 2008, 9:30pm EST
Note from Webmaster: There was a problem this weekend with getting the files updated, alot of folks may not have been aware of the ordeal Kara was involved in with her infection, my apologies. They tell me the problem is now corrected. Below are the emails I recieved this weekend but was unable to post.
Jeff

6 Oct 2008, 3:40am EST
Not sure if Mom has updated or not since we got home, so here's an update on kara.

We are at home now. Evidently, the infection was a true blood / line infection. All 3 cultures from Friday night in the e.r. were showing bacteria growth (both lines, and her peripheal blood draw in her arm.) The technical diagnosis is : Gram positive bactaremia, diplocococus (sp?). We were told this is easily treated. On Saturday, when she was admitted they drew more blood out of both lumens in her line to re-culture. As of today, they were "negative." Home health delivered some of her med's, and we went over paperwork and procedures, and I will be able to hook her antibiotic up here at home. She will need it once a day for 10 days, and in 2 weeks she will need to have her blood re-cultured to make sure the bug is cleared up.

I told Dr. Malik that Kara's been eating better in the Hospital than at home.....Do you think that reflects my cooking?! Okay, you don't answer that one! I told him how much fun she had been having, and he told her she could stay, but she wasn't for that idea...She was playing, eating, laughing, drinking fine, and never ran another fever. I am thankful that things started going in our favor pretty quickly. The first 24-48 hours are the most critical, and we're past that now...

There is also the possibility she could have been exposed to the chicken pox, so she is supposed to stay away from anyone who isn't immune to that for the next 5 days -that's amount of time left that she has where she could still have a break-out. She may not have been "officially" exposed to it, so this is assuming she was. We were told that children who have never had the chicken pox can still be carriers of it. (Kara's not had it, but she had the vaccine when she was little.) But, she will need to have her shots re-given at 1 year post-transplant. Tuesday will be 6 months post-transplant, can you believe that ?!

Well, I just thought I needed to let you know where she stands now, we still appreciate all the prayers. THANK YOU! Pray that this goes away completely, and for good. I don't want to ever have to battle this thing again....direct lines are so risky. We told Dr. Malik that, personally, we're ready for her line to come out, but not medically. Tony and I both will be glad for the day when it can come out, but it saves her from the "pokies" that she so hates! That was her biggest fear throughout her treatment. I am so glad her G-shots are in the past now!

I know that I have a lot to be thankful for...I just need to stay focused on that, and all that God's done for us. I've found that since coming home from St. Jude, and staying busy with everything, it's really easy to take my blessings for granted. I don't want to get a complacency about me with what the Lord has done for us, and for Kara. He sure has helped us so much, and blessed us. Please keep praying.....

Good night, and God bless,
Megan

5 Oct 2008, 9:11pm EST
This is Mamma Mary again. We brought Kara home from hospital around 6 pm tonight. Tony went on to work and we picked up the other kids and waited for Home Health to bring Kara's meds and all is well. Kara is happy to be home and so are the other children, and Mom & Dad too!!! The Dr said it's a true blood infection since it's showing up in all three samples. He believes the antibiotic they're using is working because he sees that Kara is responding to it very well. Kara is so very blessed right now. The Dr. wants us to stay away from other children who have been exposed to the chicken pox and to watch for any signs of any of the kids coming down with it. This is something he really wants to avoid, but unless we keep her in the house, how can we be sure she's not being exposed again? Megan is a great Mom, she senses when something isn't right and she is right on top of things. I hope she doesn't mind me saying so, but we're very proud of her, even if she is ours. She's precious, and Tony is very special too! Kara has to take this medicine for another 10 days or so and the Dr wants to see her in his clinic for blood samples and cultures next Monday, on the 13th. Hopefully all will go well and nothing else happens. Home Health will come again on Tues. and bring some more meds. They just bring enough for 3 days a t a time. They check her temp and listen to her heart when they come too. We are thankful that Kara doesn't have to go to the clinic or hospital for this.

Well, that's about all for now, it's late and we're tired. Thank you for checking in and all your prayers, just please keep praying.

God Bless,
Mary

5 Oct 2008, 9:22am EST
This is Mamma Mary again, Kara is feeling real good and is playing and laughing, her fever is gone also. Thank the good Lord for this!!! We aren't sure exactly what is gong on, what we do know is there is infection showing in her blood, and both of her direct lines are showing positive when cultured Friday night. Her white blood counts dropped they are 3. and were 7. the night before. We are waiting on the Dr to explain this more. This is still an OK level. They know a virus will cause a fever and a drop in white blood cells. They aren't sure if the blood was contaminated due to a mishap with a blood sample when she was admitted, or a contamination from the skin, both is possible. Evidently there was a fault with the vial and it broke. This sample showed positive for a germ within 8 hours. Another sample was taken yesterday and we don't know what it shows yet. They need 24- to 48 hrs for the results. This germ that is showing up is easy to treat,. (gram positive ducacaucus) Spelling is wrong I'm sure.. She gets an antibiotic through her line at 10 pm. They rotate on back and forth between her 2 lines. This must be continued around 10 days after a negative culture is found. This is something that Megan can administer for Kara herself at home. They will supply the necessary meds and supplies for this.

There is a possibility that they may get out today. The Dr will be around to explain the blood cultures and he's encouraged about how things are going. Kara is doing GOOD!!! We are very thankful to the good Lord for taking such good care of our Kara. We'll update more soon

God Bless,
Mary

4 Oct 2008, 1:10pm EST
This is Mamma Mary, Megan asked me to please update for her, as they are on their way to Children's Hospital in Knoxville. Last night I was watching the twins while Megan was at the store and Kara started feeling tired and she felt just a little warm. When Megan got back she took her temp., but it was normal. Just a short time later she checked it again and it was what St Jude calls a fever, so off to Children's hospital they went. Tony was already at work in Knoxville, so he met them at the hospital. They took blood tests and cultures and started her on 2 antibiotics through her direct line. The blood counts were all in the normal range, so they sent them back home. They got home around 5 am this morning. The Dr said he'd check the cultures and call them this morning. Well, he called and Kara has an infection in her direct line again. From past experiences, this can be serious. We are confident that we're getting it early so this is a plus for Kara. She is being admitted for 3 to 4 days and will be given antibiotics to clear this up. Please pray that this will work and that all goes well. Megan and Tony need prayer also, they are worn out and worried about all the kids. They didn't get much sleep and then had to grab clothes, make arrangements for the children, and hurry back to the hospital. Aunt Dina has Erica, Brent & Lauren. She is going to take them to see Kara this evening. Kara wants everyone to come and be with her. I'm thankful that they didn't need to go to Memphis, this will be so much easier on everyone. Please pray that Children's takes as good care of Kara as St Jude would. I'm sure the Dr will be in touch with Kara's St Jude Dr's. This is Dr Mallick, he diagnosed Kara back in June of 2007, and was able to get Kara admitted to St Jude.

Megan has the lap top with her, so hopefully she can get a connection and be able to do the updates for Kara herself when they get settled in. If not, I'll try to keep everyone informed from here.

God Bless,
Mary