Yesterday's report from my fiance:
As of this morning we were optimistic about Eric being released
today, but after seeing the Infectious Disease Dr. we soon learned
that the normal protocol is 14 days on IV antibiotics not 10 as we
were originally told. They rechecked the spinal tap this afternoon
so depending on how that checks out there is a very small possibility
that he can go home tomorrow on homecare (a nurse will come out and
administer the antibiotics). We all know that he is feeling almost
100% now, so he is having a hard time thinking that he might be here
until Sunday. The Neurosurgeon also came by this morning to tell him
that he is almost positive that the residual from a tumor removed from his pituitary gland in '94 is believed to have rubbed a hole in the wall that separates the pituitary gland and
the sinus cavity allowing a leak that has caused all of this. This
is not life threatening, but needs to be addressed in the near
future. He recommended this to be repaired within the next few weeks
as the Meningitis could possibly return. Right now they are thinking
this can be done endoscopically up his nose, so hopefully there will
not be another extended hospital visit. We still don't know how long
his recovery will be when he is finally released but we will let
everyone know as soon as we know.
Thank you so much for everyone's support during this difficult time,
Cristin and Eric
Today's news:
I've seen the infectious desease doc and my admitting doc this
morning and they both conveyed to me that I was/am still a whole more
sick than they originally thought. The results from my spinal tap
yesterday revealed no grown culture (meaning have no idea what type
of virus caused this meningitis) and also showed a very high level of
white blood cells still. spinal fluid should be clear, mine still is
slghtly yellow, but at least no milky look anymore, it's getting
better. So... since the white blood cells are high, I get to stay on
antibiotics through an IV for another week, and then they'll get
another spinal tap next week to check again.
They put longer lastin IV up my arm and into my chest this afternoon and will
watch it over night, if it does OK then I may be able to go home with
it and keep getting my medicine there.
Not the best news, but I'm still kickin' and might be going home tomorrow!
Thank you all!
-Eric
