Yesterday afternoon, Lincoln started being extremely fussy and grunting as he was trying to sleep. At first, we thought maybe he was trying to poop, but it kept going for about 30min. His temperature was 99.6 F, so no need to go to the hospital yet. Still thinking Lincoln had to poop, we put him in a warm bath and then continued to try to get him down for his nap. Last time he was sick, his Owlet read his heart rate in the 200s, so we knew to go to the ER. This time, his Owlet read a heart rate of 130s and 100% oxygenation, all normal for him being fussy.
The grunting stopped and Lincoln got a small nap in before he woke up very fussy and grunting again. He felt warmer and started straining until his hands and feet were purple, so we rushed him to the ER. We still thought (and maybe were hoping) he was just constipated and struggling to poop, but Lincoln’s heart rate was 217 and temperature jumped to 103.4. The ER stuck him 7 times trying to get blood and IV access to give him fluids and start antibiotics. All attempts were unsuccessful for an IV, but enough blood was taken for cultures so intramuscular antibiotics were started. Then, he rode in the ambulance from Greensboro to Durham to see his transplant team.
Duke was able to get two IVs, grab a lot of blood and start antibiotics. Jacob and I were totally convinced this was another blood infection because Lincoln was presenting the same as last time. Today, Lincoln definitely feels a whole lot better, but we cannot find the source of infection. It’s not a respiratory virus, it’s not an ear infection. A liver ultrasound is being read today to see if it’s cholangitis again, but we just don’t know yet.
Lincoln’s barely gotten any sleep being in the ICU, but we’re getting transferred to the floor since his heart rate has come down. Hopefully that means he can get back on his sleep schedule and be more comfortable. We expect at least 5 days in the hospital to finish antibiotics, but it all depends on what we’re working with. We hope and pray we’re back home soon to enjoy our first Christmas as a family! Lincoln is such a trooper and putting on a brave face 🙂
