Harper Reidford Harper Ann Reidford

Harper Ann Reidford came into our lives on October 18, 2017, she was a healthy 8lb 3oz baby! On November 18, 2017 Harper was taken to Deaconess Pediatric Urgent care with a fever of 101.8. She was immediately tested for flu and RSV which both came back negative. We were admitted to the Pediatric Unit at Deaconess Gateway. That evening they performed a Lumbar Puncture and the results came back positive for Ecoli Bacterial Megingitis. The doctors at Deaconess consulted with the infectious control team at Riley hospital and it was decided 21 days of IV Ampicillin to get rid of this bacteria. Another Lumbar puncture was performed on 11-20-17 and it was clean! Since we were going to need such a long period of IV antibiotics a PICC line was best option for treatment. Harper went to get the picc line on 11-27-17 and was given sedation, she coded during the procedure. She was quickly resuscitated and was placed on the vent to help her breathe. After about an hour she began fighting the breathing tube so they decided to take it out. Harper did well with this and treatment was continued. After 21 long days we were finally released from the hospital on 12-10-17. On 12-13-17 Harper again started acting like she was not feeling well, we took her back to the hospital to get it checked out, she began running a fever as we got to the hospital. They admitted her and performed another lumbar puncture, it came back positive AGAIN  for bacterial meningitis. We were immediately sent to Riley Children Hospital . Harper will be receiving another 21 days of IV antibiotics and several more testing and imaging to find where this bacteria is in her body. Thank you for following our story. Positive thoughts and prayers for our sweet baby is greatly appreciated!