update
Back from Dar and Evy had her first night in 4 nights without a high fever!!! Yeah! Praise God. We all slept much better which really gives us a whole new outlook on life:).
So, as way of updating the last 24 hours....
Jason sent this message over email yesterday:
After another night of very high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, and almost no sleep (for Evy and us) we decided it was time to go to Dar. Roxanne was on an AM flight with Evy and was able to get into the doctor right away.
We've suspected a kidney infection or UTI due to the urine tests we ran here, but he said that was positive most likely a result of the wicked diaper rash she has from the diarrhea. He suspected 3 things: malaria, a very nasty virus, or typhoid, or most likely a combination of the 2. Typhoid is preventable via vaccine but cannot be vaccinated for until one reaches 2 years - the rest of us are all vaccinated against it.
Because her fever is spiking at night, he thinks it is Typhoid (and she tested negative for Malaria 3 times now.) He has also seen many cases of Typhoid here in Tanzania for infants around the age of 1. So he is treating her for typhoid, which would also help in the event of a UTI or kidney infection. Because she can't keep down the oral meds we've tried, this means 3 injections, one of which he did and 2 we will have to find a nurse to do here. Evy was also prescribed a few other meds, and we think we've already seen some positive response to them, praise God!
We appreciate your continued prayers that she will respond well to the medication and that we will all get some rest tonight!
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So, rest we did get! Thankfully our nurse friend is here until Monday (Shannon you are my hero!) and she came over this morning and taught us how to give the shot so we can continue tomorrow. Taking Evy to Dar by myself was not fun especially since I was an emotional wreck in addition to being comatose from lack of sleep but I am glad we had a chance to see the doctor there. And while I initially FREAKED out about the word "Typhoid" and my daughter used in the same sentence it really is a form of Salmonella (which we hear often about stateside). You can read about Typhoid here and here. It is serious for sure but with treatment she will be fine. We also found out about an adult friend here who had it last month. We will not know for sure if Evy has it until we return next week for a blood and stool test (the test must be done after her body fights it) but we are treating everything aggressively and seeing her respond well! She is getting injections of a strong-kick-everything-in-the-butt antibiotic, we are applying a nuclear strength prescription diaper rash cream, and using pro biotic and zinc to help her tummy get back to normal. The doctor will talk with us Monday and see what is next. Of course being here comes with added pressures, stress, and fears but it also allows us to really rely on Him in a new and real way. We are still processing and in the midst but feel so loved, supported, and thankful. My baby girl had her first night with no high fever and she is slowly getting back to her Mtundu ways. This morning after a restful nap (yeah!) she decided to take every shoe off our shoe rack! I never was so happy to clean up her mess! Neighbors came by to check in and shule kids gave her lots of poles for the shots. Then for lunch she ate a ton of avocado and even screamed demanding some chocolate cake. It was a welcome change to the listless, hot, sick little baby she has been for days. My Birthday is tomorrow and I cannot think of a better gift than Evy being well. For sure this has slowed us down and really reminded me again what is important. Thanks again to everyone for your support, love, notes, and prayers!
So, as way of updating the last 24 hours....
Jason sent this message over email yesterday:
After another night of very high fever, diarrhea, and vomiting, and almost no sleep (for Evy and us) we decided it was time to go to Dar. Roxanne was on an AM flight with Evy and was able to get into the doctor right away.
We've suspected a kidney infection or UTI due to the urine tests we ran here, but he said that was positive most likely a result of the wicked diaper rash she has from the diarrhea. He suspected 3 things: malaria, a very nasty virus, or typhoid, or most likely a combination of the 2. Typhoid is preventable via vaccine but cannot be vaccinated for until one reaches 2 years - the rest of us are all vaccinated against it.
Because her fever is spiking at night, he thinks it is Typhoid (and she tested negative for Malaria 3 times now.) He has also seen many cases of Typhoid here in Tanzania for infants around the age of 1. So he is treating her for typhoid, which would also help in the event of a UTI or kidney infection. Because she can't keep down the oral meds we've tried, this means 3 injections, one of which he did and 2 we will have to find a nurse to do here. Evy was also prescribed a few other meds, and we think we've already seen some positive response to them, praise God!
We appreciate your continued prayers that she will respond well to the medication and that we will all get some rest tonight!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, rest we did get! Thankfully our nurse friend is here until Monday (Shannon you are my hero!) and she came over this morning and taught us how to give the shot so we can continue tomorrow. Taking Evy to Dar by myself was not fun especially since I was an emotional wreck in addition to being comatose from lack of sleep but I am glad we had a chance to see the doctor there. And while I initially FREAKED out about the word "Typhoid" and my daughter used in the same sentence it really is a form of Salmonella (which we hear often about stateside). You can read about Typhoid here and here. It is serious for sure but with treatment she will be fine. We also found out about an adult friend here who had it last month. We will not know for sure if Evy has it until we return next week for a blood and stool test (the test must be done after her body fights it) but we are treating everything aggressively and seeing her respond well! She is getting injections of a strong-kick-everything-in-the-butt antibiotic, we are applying a nuclear strength prescription diaper rash cream, and using pro biotic and zinc to help her tummy get back to normal. The doctor will talk with us Monday and see what is next. Of course being here comes with added pressures, stress, and fears but it also allows us to really rely on Him in a new and real way. We are still processing and in the midst but feel so loved, supported, and thankful. My baby girl had her first night with no high fever and she is slowly getting back to her Mtundu ways. This morning after a restful nap (yeah!) she decided to take every shoe off our shoe rack! I never was so happy to clean up her mess! Neighbors came by to check in and shule kids gave her lots of poles for the shots. Then for lunch she ate a ton of avocado and even screamed demanding some chocolate cake. It was a welcome change to the listless, hot, sick little baby she has been for days. My Birthday is tomorrow and I cannot think of a better gift than Evy being well. For sure this has slowed us down and really reminded me again what is important. Thanks again to everyone for your support, love, notes, and prayers!
Comments
I have been praying (and a couple of my friends, too) and am so relieved and grateful. May God continue to heal and bless, and use this in ways we can't imagine!
Meg Parks