Yeast and Mold

After nearly a week of "stably unstable" status, Jordan has decided to try something new.  He has already tried most medical complications, from a tracheotomy, to a g-tube, to an immunodeficiency, to several viral infections, to major organ failure, to a bacterial infection, to a yeast infection in his tubing.  With little left to choose from, it seems he may be taking on mold--yes, mold.

A few days ago, doctors informed us that Jordan had a yeast infection that appeared to have seeded in one of his peripheral lines and may have spread to his bloodstream.  Like any infection, and particularly any infection for a child with an immunodeficiency, this is not good news.  What makes it even more complicated with Jordan is the fact that the normal treatment for bloodstream yeast is to remove all plastic lines from the patient's body for a few days and give the child a liver-damaging medication.  Neither of these approaches are safe for Jordan so instead the doctors gave him the strongest medication that is safe for him and removed only his femoral PIC line.  Judging by the deepening lines in their faces, this limited treatment appears to have added stress to the lives of his entire medical team.  

Yesterday, as doctors continued to discuss the potential damage a bloodstream yeast infection could cause, one of the physicians indicated Jordan may also have mold in the bottom of his lungs.  Aspergillosis is a condition where tangled fungus fibers (mold) develop in the lungs and cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and much more.  In addition, it can spread to other areas of the body, such as the stomach and cause blood in the stool, which Jordan has also recently been experiencing.

As a result of the blood in his stool, Jordan has also been signed up for an all-expenses paid tube-down-his-throat adventure to biopsy his stomach.  If there is mold in his stomach or his lungs, doctors will change the way they are treating him for his bacterial and yeast infections.

With all the strength Jordan has shown in surviving his sicknesses, I hope his body doesn't simply get tired of all the tests, tubes, pokes, and prods as the doctors try to figure out the cause of his ongoing symptoms.  I hope his tubes diminish and he can stabilize himself out of the ICU.  I look forward to the day I can see him sleeping free from all lines and tubes and wires and machines and have him wake me up in the morning with a good, strong cry.