Thank you for your kind words today. Theresa just read my posting from last night, and she enjoyed seeing comments by others.
As for an update, Theresa is doing well. She had her second dose of the Amikacin last night, and her third tonight. This morning, she noticed a ringing - distant but constantly there - in her ears. It is better with increased fluid intake, and she has been on iv fluids today. But, the doctor is lowering her dose tomorrow. Theresa had her blood drawn tonight - to establish the 'peak' and 'trough' levels of the antibiotics in her bloodstream - before that third dose was administered (trough) and after that third dose went in (peak) to determine whether the dose is therapeutic, or too strong. Since Theresa is having side effects, her dose will definitely not increase. The lab that will analyze her bloods is, apparently, not in-house, the nurse said - need to confirm this with the doctor in the morning. If this info is correct, it means that it will take 2-5 days to get the results. Seems a bit backwards if her dose is definitely going to be lowered tomorrow, which is what the doctor said this morning.
The doctor said that if the next (lowered) dose also causes the ringing in her ears to continue, she may be switched to an inhaled form of Amikacin, but the doctor said this is not as effective. Time will tell....just praying Theresa's hearing will be okay. She said it does not bother her, but that it is just 'there.'
Needing to change the dose means, of course, a longer hospital stay!....she will need at least two, maybe three doses of that new level of Amikacin before another peak and trough are taken (and it is only given once a day).
Theresa also started her third antibiotic today through iv, as well. This one, Cefoxitin, is given three times a day, takes about 45 minutes to go in. It is not one that needs to have levels drawn. She will start dose #2 tonight at 9 when she does her last vest treatment of the day.
Timothy helped her wash her hair today before I returned. Caroline and I went to church with Timothy's parents, and then I took Caroline to her play audition, then came up here so Timothy could go home. Theresa has a sleeve now so that can allow her to get her arm wet tomorrow.
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