Septic showers ain't fun!

(March - April 2012)

At the end of our last update, Max had successfully undergone a circumcision. Although rather tender 'downstairs', he was recovering very well. Everything seemed to be going along 'happy chappy'. However, the next week (March 22nd) during his weekly photopherisis treatment, Max suffered from a serious septic shower. It was horrid!

This is a summary for those that don’t know what a septic shower is: 

“A septic shower is the sudden systemic influx of pathogens that have colonized in an inserted device (central line), instigated by the infusion of fluids into the device, and causing septic shock in the patient. This is a life threatening condition and requires urgent medical attention”.

Max was laughing with Beth the Music therapist one minute…..then he collapsed with vomiting and diarrhoea the next. ‘Big Dave' our favourite pherisis nurse, bless him, knew immediately what was happening.  He called for the MET (Medical Emergency Team) and within literally a few minutes the room was filled with ICU staff, emergency staff, Dr’s, nurses…Max was hooked up to electrodes, BP monitors…the works. I had NO idea of the extreme seriousness of the situation. Max’s blood pressure was as low as 52/10! If you look up any blood pressure range chart you’ll see Max was, well…not in a good way at all! 

The medical team were unable to control his blood pressure…each time they gave him a bolus of fluid to push it up it would just rocket down again within a few moments. It took well over an hour to get him stable enough to be taken to ICU for close monitoring. My head was in a fog whilst walking to ICU, behind the medical team, fussing over Max on the bed. All I can remember thinking was "Oh no, not again". My heart was in my stomach. Once there, the ICU staff were able to administer suitable medication to help bring up his numbers.

I knew Max was pretty unwell, and that septic showers were serious; however I really didn’t appreciate how seriously sick Max was. A few days later, when we were back on the ward, upon innocently asking when we may be able to go home, Dr KT quite bluntly, in her typically stern manner, remarked “Not for a while. Don’t you realize your son nearly died?” 

ICU

Max spent two nights in ICU before being moved to the ward. We were told Max would need to remain an inpatient for at least two weeks more…. 

"How can I plan my escape....?"

However, 2 days shy of two weeks, on April 2nd ….with the help of daily visits for IV antibiotics from the nurse@home team… we were given the permission to go home! Just in time for Easter!

The Easter Maxi Rabbit