Relapse

I knew it was going to smoothly.

Christy called this morning to inform me Jerimie got another fever episode. He is burning up and moaning under a load of Ativan. More meds will soon be flowing through his veins soon as the battle rages on.

Quite maddening as to what is going on. Is it reemergence as resistant malaria? Or is something else in background.

More vicious blood draws were done. Time now will tell. Get back on those positive thoughts people, we need them.

A decisive victory!

Text transmission from Chrisy has me jumping for joy.

"Parasite load < 1%.
Plan move to floor,
Today! Moving from
IV to oral meds."

JerJer is kickin it and lickin it!   You go, tough guy!

Now this is more like it!

He is doing so much better. Yeahoo!

It was Papa's turn on the vigil last night.  Before this vid, the little guy was helping the examining doc place the pressure cuff and showing them where to put the stethoscope.  He is taking charge now.

A very touching and bonding moment for me occurred before this video.  I came in to give a "kissy" on the forehead.  He reached up as if to block me.

I was worried that this was a repeat of the past few days.  He hated blood draws.  He would not look anyone in the eye for hours after these insults.  He would push people away.  Angry and insular.

So, on my "kissy" I though I was about to receive one of these rejections.  But he was looking me in the eye.  I stopped. My face a few inches from his face. 

With his hand, he started gently stroking my beard.  He started saying soft and gentle words in Lingala.  And he repeatedly glanced from my eyes to the beard and back again.  Then he said the jewel-like word.     ....."Papa!"

Sigh of relief

Thanks to all for your kind words and thoughts, much appreciated!! Some great news tonight, the meds are starting to do their thing. Parasite load is dropping! Yeah! 5%. Ka Pow, take that you nasty little parasite. 

Little guy more perky today. While Momma went home and passed out for a few hours, Daddy stayed with Jeremie and taught him how to channel surf, a must know for any male. Pictured below, Jeremie hitting his head with the remote, setting off the nurse call button over and over, he he he.....

Chris stands at the back of the room to cancel the call, both of us enjoying the simple pleasure that he is actually smiling and happy.

Good thing they make 'em tough in Africa...

Hospital blues n dirty socks

In the midst of another cycle of release but much less severe than Friday night. Meds on board must be doing their good work.

What the F?

F is for falciparium.  I can also think of another word too, but it is not fit to print here.

Well, ...he is in good hands.  This variant is also considered easy to treat.  Hopefully the can prophylactically treat him to ease the next bout of fever due in about 10 hrs from now.

 Plasmodiums are a nasty little parasite.

Positive thoughts needed people!

Yikes!  Off the charts paracitemia load. ranking is 20%,  Jerimie will be immediately admitted to ICU at Primary Children Medical Center.  Still trying to understand what this means.  Doctors also unsure.  This text message content from Christy gave me a start:

"Its 20%, bummer, icu needed,
way bummer, calling CDC cuz
high levels, Tripple Bummer!"

As soon as Alexi wakes up, we will go join Christy for some hospital vigil time.

Please think positive thoughts for us.  Need that energy channeled into this precious little guy.

It has been only 8 days, but I am already way attached to him.  So keep up the positive thoughts!

malarial saga continues

Had to take Alexi home because he was completely Cooked!

 "Cooked" is wiffy euphemism for when the little ones in serious need of a little nappy time.

Last night had been a long one.  Christy and I taking turns soothing Jeremie as he writhed in pain in his bed.  Alexi inevitably being kept up all night wondering at the novelty of what was going on. Then off to the ED in the morning because we knew this sounded like Malaria and the fever oscillations were likely to get worse.   ...Well, after 5 hrs all morning in a "boring" little room Primary Children's ED, Alexi needed to get taken home for a well deserved afternoon nap.

Blood draws are positive for Malaria. Now the waiting time for a test to tell us his parasitemia rate.  If our little Jerr exceeds a 5% parisitemia rate, then he has to stay in intensive care for at least 3 days to get the meds via IV.   A few more hours needed now before that decision is made.  We hope for under 5% score and that he can keep the nasty oral med down, because if not, were going to be spending a lot of time next week up at Primary Children's.

Not to much alarm needed with you all.  This has good prognosis for rapid recovery. But it is quite tough to see the little guy suffer so.  Hope for fast recovery for him.

Malaria sucks

Poor little dude, another night of fevers, vomiting and feeling bad. Looks like he has malaria, no fun...

Fever down now, even perked up enough to drink and eat.

Hoping he will be able to go home soon

Whoa, what is this thing?

Standard equipment for a future life in the Wasatch!!