This Machine Killed Cancer

Sounds gross, I know, but that’s the way the doctors described Shayne’s very own strep bug. In particular it likes plastic, so much that when this bug hangs out with plastic it’s completely resistant to antibiotics. In non-anthropomorphic terms, this means that as soon as his platelets get up to a normal level, his central line is going to have to be removed. There’s also a chance that his port will have to be removed, but we’re hoping not because that means surgery.

He won’t be able to get his line taken out until his platelets go above 50 - they’re at 18 now, only up from 13 after one unit earlier today. Platelets are hard to come by though so the 6 or so units of platelets that he’d have to get will be a tough sell for the blood bank to give up. Especially if they don’t know for sure he’ll get to 50. 

Good news is that his family is coming to town today and platelets that have similar genetic makeup take more quickly. Hopefully we’ll be able to work out trade with the blood bank to get him all of the units he needs or at least ones that match.

Best case scenario would be he would be his platelets would go up, his line would be removed, and his infection will clear up… all by Monday when he’s supposed to start his stem cell collection. That would be the medical equivalent of moving mountains, but stranger things have happened. Here’s to hoping.