As I initially suspected Austin does indeed have a severe infection of the digestive tract known as clostridium difficile (c-diff). Long-term antibiotic usage is the primary cause for developing c-diff, in combination with a long hospital stay and a suppressed immune system (Austin had all the cards stacked against him for this one!) Ironically, the treatment for this infection is yet another powerful antibiotic called Flagyl - it just seems like a vicious cycle! Well, at least the worst is now over, and Austie is on the mend. He played Zelda on the game cube today, which surprised me considering how sick he has been. His temperature is 36.8 again (no fever) and his diarrhea is almost all gone. We are looking forward to maybe getting a half-decent sleep tonight. Austin's transplant went really well today, and he had an uplifting experience with the Demerol that they gave him before he got his stem-cells (if you want to see what stem cells look like check out the picture above). It was so cute because he said he felt like "he was floating in the clouds."
6 comments:
I'm so happy to hear that you're having a better day today, yesterday didn't sound like much fun. You're more than half way done buddy! And you're doing a great job! You are truly an inspiration, keep up the good work and know that you are always in my thoughts.
Love Sue & Ben
Hi Austin and Lindsay
So glad to hear that you are feeling better today Austin, especially now that your gramma is visiting. Hopefully your appetite will come around and you could start enjoying some of that yummy hospital food!!!
take care,
love Auntie Millie and Uncle Peter
Hello Austin and mom,
This is Carolyn (Melissa's mom). Hope you have a better day tomorrow buddy. Just checking in on you, letting you know we haven't forgot about you. I have to go get Melissa tomorrow, she has been in hospital 17 days with Staph infection!! That's like doing a round of chemo, transplant, isolation and step down!! But, tomorrow she is out. And you will be soon too. From here it will go pretty quickly. You are doing good. You are doing better than alot who have gone through this. You are tough for sure. I will pray for you. Carolyn Lilly
So happy to hear that this is finally over...what more can your little body take. It's nice to see that you're back to playing your games. Have you been playing Rune Scape (I hope that's how you spell it!!) too? You're a real trouper Austin. We'll keep praying for you.
Take care,
Love you lots...hugs and kisses, Dave and Jo
hey guys
It's good to here your doing better today Aust. I hope you can keep your energy up and keep playing those vids because Link needs your help. miss you guys a lot.
Uncle Richy + Trin
Hi Lindsay & Austin:
I was sorry to hear that the battle was getting worse, but you know the darkest hours of the storm bring sunhine. I will be thinking of you both and praying that that the sun will shine for you both very shortly.
Love Bryon & Sheila
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