Keeping Us on Our Toes

Never a dull moment! Well, we had another scare with JD. Yesterday morning I noticed a piece of skin hanging from one of the incisions. When I pulled it the incision started oozing...a lot! I will spare you the gross details, but suffice it to say that there was a lot that came out of it. It continued to ooze/bleed throughout the day. Last night we cleaned the area real well but noticed that the entire incision had split open. It's been almost a month since the surgery (I know, hard to believe) but you would think it would've healed by now. I called the doctor and they wanted me to bring JD in ASAP - so I did. After the doctor examined him and the area thoroughly he said he thinks that the infection had built up in the area and just needed somewhere to go. He said the incision hadn't healed enough to withstand the pressure and therefore reopened. This is a good thing because the infection is "leaving the area!" He did say that it looks like the meds are working - even though there is no difference in the appearance of the masses yet. So another scare that has been resolved! Please keep him in your prayers. The meds are kinda hard on his system but he's doing ok with them so far otherwise.

A Battle Plan

Jeremiah, JD and I had an appointment with the Infectious Diseases Specialist Friday morning. We went over the test results and then discussed treatment options/possibilites. We now know which strand of the bacteria JD has and we FINALLY have a plan as to how to combat it!
Option 1: One of the common options of treatment is to just "not treat" and let the body take care of it. The ID doctor said that due to the mass in JD's throat he doesn't even want to consider this option. The mass could return and we would have no idea until it was too late. I agreed that we shouldn't go with this option. :)
Option 2: The alternate method of treatment is to combine 2-3 antibiotics and take them from 6 weeks - 24 months (depending on the situation). Patients who can't have surgery have to be on the meds longer. Since JD was able to have surgery to remove the bulk of the masses he would have to be on meds for 12 weeks. So, starting next week JD will start a 12-week antibiotic regimen of two antibiotics. After the 12 weeks is up we will go back in for another consult to see how he is doing. We are waiting for one final test that will determine whether he has to take a third med or not. We're praying that two meds will be enough!
We still have a ways to go before this is over but at least we are finally getting some answers and we have a plan to treat it and that is a huge relief for us! Your continued prayers and encouragement are such a blessing to us. I've included a few specific prayers requests so you are aware of our needs and can intercede for us.

- Positive reaction to the meds: The better JD reacts to the meds the less likely he'll have to have a second round (another 12 weeks)

- Minimal side effects: JD still isn't back to normal in his eating/sleeping habits due to all the meds he's been on/off of. Pray that the new meds don't mess him up even more

- Provision: We have been blessed by financial and food gifts from a couple different friends and family members. We are humbled and so very grateful for these blessings! We are praying that GOD continues to provide for the needs we have due to all of the medical bills, etc

Thank you again for your continued prayers. We couldn't have made it this far without your prayers and support. Please continue to intercede on our behalf! WE know that GOD hears the prayers of HIS children! Thank you!!

In His Hands,
Jeremiah, Crista, & JD

Preliminary Test Results - On the Right Road

Can I say I LOVE our pediatrician! He is so thorough and just amazes me! He's been so awesome through all of this and I can't imagine having any other doctor!!! The ENT specialist told me Tuesday that there are signs pointing to Cat Scratch Disease. I thought this was odd because JD has had at least two tests SPECIFICALLY testing for this. Also, I've thought it was odd because I don't even know someone who owns a cat...hrmmm! When I asked the specialist about all of this he told me that the specifics of it weren't his specialty and I need to talk to the ID doctor again. He said he would call over there and the ID would call me back on Wednesday.
This morning (Thursday) the ENT specialist's assistant called to see if I'd heard from ID. I said I hadn't. She said she would call ID and then call me right back. That was at 10am...it's 1:50p now. So much for calling right back! It's more of the same for them. I was at their office on Tuesday for about an hour and a half and really got nothing accomplished. The doctor was only in the room for about 3-4 minutes. They had no real results yet so I'm not sure why I even had teh appointment.
However, my pediatrician called around 1:30p to give me the test results that had come in. JD does in fact have mycobacteria. He does NOT have TB or Cat Scratch. He said he saw where they were notating that as a possibility but said that it was negative. He said they couldn't figure it out from the original tests so they kind of just guessed! (that makes me feel great!) However, my pediatrician is on the ball and followed up on these tests and has a game plan!
GOD is great and amazes me that HE is working in all of these little things. They still have to wait for results to come back as to which mycobacteria he has (2-6 weeks) and then sensitivity tests for how to treat it (2+ more weeks) but at least we are on the right path. Right now I'm just thanking GOD for the small things AND thanking Dr. Holbrook for being amazing!
Please keep praying for us!