Update & Prayer Request: March 4, 2009

The results ......

According to labs at the University of Texas, MD Anderson, Moraxella catarrhalis is the bacteria growing from sinus cultures - It is resistant to Cipro, so I discontinued that drug last night. It is beta lactamase positive but appears that Augmentin is one of the sensitivities (I was desensitized to Augmentin last week). This is such an unusual organism, that the lab notes that there are no guidelines regarding interpretation of susceptibilities, etc. Tobramycin is also a usual moraxella sensitivity, so I remain on that. Decisions will be made based on clinical improvement if IV or other antibiotics will be added.

The fungal sensitivites (S. brumptii) were discussed with the lab director at University of Texas. He said first of all this is a rare mold and we need to confirm its presence on a second fungal culture before making antifungal medication changes -- If thaose changes are necessary, then he would suggest posaconazole and perhaps in combination with the Cancidas. I will remain on Itraconazole to prevent a systemic fungal infection from the intensive antibiotics I am taking.

IVIG was bumped up to tomorrow with these infections present, insurance will pay for it every 3 weeks versus every 4 weeks and my ANC will be rechecked to see if I need Neupogen. So tomorrow will be a 9 or 10 hour day.

Your prayers and loving messages are precious to me. I definitely need to see a breakthrough on my behalf. I probably have 50 percent of the strength I had last week and that concerns me when I become so weak. This report is a testament to what difficulty a compromised immune system is having to fight very rare, unusual organisms. Please pray that everyone interpreting these cultures and related data will be given God-breathed understanding and wisdom.