Worried Mama - ER Visit

My son developed his 3rd MRSA infection two Thursdays ago. At first, it was a pimple on his leg. The next day, a little bit larger of a pimple, but not very worrisome. I knew what it was (Natty has been colonized with MRSA since October 2009 and this was his 3rd infection in 3 months) but with it not growing terribly larger terribly quickly, like it always does, I was entertaining the notion that his immune system was fighting it. Should have known better. Saturday morning, nickel-sized abscess beneath his skin. In we went to the doctor. And got meds. Bactrim. Good old Bactrim. So I was a diligent mother and gave him his doses. Sunday night, during his bath, it looked ugly. As I peered at the leg, I saw these rose-colored streaks leaving the abscess and aiming towards the groin. Oh no. OK, instead of dressing Natty in his PJs, I put him in an outfit, slapped on his shoes, and carted Boy Wonder to the Emergency Room, already writing that $70 copay check because I knew it was pretty important to get the thing lanced. The doctor didn't think so. Nope, not ready to lance. But he wanted him admitted for IV Vancomycin, because it was spreading to his lymph nodes, ready to become septic. And so Natty was admitted. At 4:30 am, I was up, giving the admiting nurse my son's health history as he dozed in his private isolation room. (Because MRSA is so virulent people have to gown and glove to keep themselves safe. And he gets that private room as long as he's colonized.) Well, then next 2 days were a wonder. And on Wednesday we were sent home again. Bactrim for another 10 days. I have such fun in life, I'm telling you. At least the abscess is getting smaller. Thanks goodness for that.

Is He Thriving?

A work friend asked me this very question one day. And I had to say No. He's doing well, he's a great kid, but Natty is not "thriving." Paul looked downcast and said that since he hadn't heard differently, he just assumed my son was doing well. My son was diagnosed with Failure to Thrive in September. It had been going on, though, since May. You see, in April, Natty began daycare. And because preemies have weak immune systems (long story), Natty got every cold the other children had or carried. 18 colds in 6 months. 8 ear infections. 5 croup attacks. 1 sinus infection. And 8 teeth came in. It got so bad, Natty reverted from sleeping through the night to awaking up to 9 times a night. Babies with ear infections drop their feeds. I watched as the amounts my son drank plumetted. His pediatrician was not concerned since he was starting solid foods. But I had the feeding therapist out to check him out in August. She said he was behind in his bite, by 3 months, so he was 3 months behind on eating solid foods. Solid foods were difficult. I am kind of thankful I was so sleep-deprived then that I don't remember how hard it really was. And the FTT in September. Finally, a doctor who UNDERSTOOD! The doctor put my son back on reflux medication and prescribed Pediasure, 4 cans a day, instead of formula. Wow. A way to fight this! Natty slowly gained weight. In February, we finally met with the feeding specialist at the feeding clinic. Yes, my son had feeding problems. Here is what we were going to do about it ... and a plan was set into motion. Natty has made incredible progress. He is growing. His growth curve is almost what it was prior to the ear infections but isn't quite what it was while he was in the NICU. He's eating. So what if he eats way less than a comparably aged or sized child? He's EATING! And he is still tanking down the Pediasure. But don't ask if he is thriving. You see, I speak to the question. And Failure to Thrive definitely says he is not thriving. Progress is slow but we'll get there. Someday. And when that happens, Paul, you'll know.