August 9, 2011 – Today was a rollercoaster emotions. Eric has been admitted into the BMT unit at Froedtert until at least Friday this week after being ambulanced down there from Two Rivers when he was continually throwing up blood. A CT Scan was performed to determine the source of the bleed. Results were inconclusive but the bleeding has stopped. What has remained is a high temperature due to an identified bacterial (or possibly viral) strain that Eric’s medical team is having a difficult time fighting off. His temperature was up near 104 degrees this morning, and one of the PA’s informed us that it may be “VRE” or Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci. Vancomycin comes from the term “vanquish”, is probably the most powerful known antibiotic, and is known as a drug of last resort because of its toxicity to the kidneys. They have cultured his blood to determine the bacterial strain and results should be in this Thursday. Once that is known, fighting it will be easier because they’ll know which tools to use.
They have him on many drugs, his IV pole is seriously loaded to the gills with different bags of fluid, hoping one of them would do the trick. Fortunately one of them proved to be working (which means that Erics bacteria is not resistant to all antibiotics and therefore probably not a VRE strain), as his temperature calmed to 99, and his heart rate slowed to the low 100’s. He even asked to eat some ice cream. However, another CT scan was performed on his head after he reported a very strong headache later this afternoon. We should have results for that soon as well.
Brian and Mary drove down to Froedtert and were pleased to see him feeling a little better. Mike and Megan almost made the trip up from St. Louis this afternoon to give him some support as well, but since Eric is now in isolation, they’ll be coming up for several days next week instead.
Cari has been there with him this entire time helping to keep everyone updated and remain by his side. She is one amazing young lady and the perfect wife for him. We are so at ease knowing she’s at his side.
We will continue to stay positive and pray!