We've been invaded!

I promised you uplifting & informative, but you will have to settle for informative. I regret to inform you that Austin has acquired a nice, bright red fungal rash right under his Trach. Lovely! Thanks to the two recent courses of antibiotics, Cipro & Augmentin, respectively his neck has been invaded. Considering the alternative, Pseudomonas, a fungal rash is actually GOOD news believe it or not. You'll have to take my word on that, let's just say that P.aeruginosa is not something I want to hear from ANY doctor. Austin already has it colonized in his lungs, but we try very hard to keep it at bay. So you can imagine my relief when the Trach nurse said, fungal rash.

So what does this mean? This means more gauze changes and Nystatin cream applications 2-3 times daily for the next 21 days. Lovely! I wouldn't expect most people to understand why that is a bad thing, the gauze changes I mean. Of course the rash speaks for itself. Ick.

But having to undo his Trach ties three times a day is asking for trouble. Austin is an active 18 month old. He is pretty patient once a day to change the ties, which requires TWO people. But changing three times a day; we may be pushing his limit. As I said, the Trach care takes two people these days. Currently the Nurse & I work as a tag team: one person to change the ties & dressings and the other person to distract his grubby toddler hands from pulling things OUT! And yes, he has pulled it out.

We have an appointment to follow up with the ENT & Trach nurse in 2 weeks so hopefully Mr.Fungi will be on his way out the door soon enough. Speaking of appointments we have the Mother Lode of appointments coming soon, but that deserves it own lengthy post.


Thanks for peeking,