Brody Had Surgery Today to Replace Both Nephrostomy Tubes

Brody had surgery today to replace both nephrostomy tubes.  He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night for very high fevers.  They did blood cultures and urine cultures on Sunday night and Monday.  This morning we got the news that he was positive for Pseudomonas and Enterococcus in the urine collected from his nephrostomy tubes.  We were told that it can be very difficult to erradicate these organisms and that the nephrostomy tubes had to be replaced.  He had the surgery this afternoon and he is feeling very good now.  He is having only very minor pain this evening.  He has also been eating fairly well tonight.  Brody was started on IV antibiotic on Sunday evening.  They have added on a couple more IV antibiotics today to provide even broader coverage against the bacteria.  We do not yet know the exact strains of bacteria nor when Brody may be allowed to come home.  Fortunately Brody has not had anymore high fevers since Monday morning.  So at least it seems he is responding the IV antibiotics that have already started.  Brody has not been able to take his chemo that he normally takes at home everyday since his white blood cell counts are low and he has bacterial infection.  This evening he is starting Neupogen injections to help boost his white blood cell count.  They plan to give Brody his IV chemo on Friday even if his counts are still low.  The ones he is due for Friday do not tend to drop his counts as much as the one he normally takes at home everyday.  Brody having serious bacterial infection is scary and so is holding his chemo so that he can fight the infection.  Do not want the tumor to have a chance to make head-way again in the wrong direction. At least Brody's infection does seem to be susceptible to the antibiotics so far though and the Neupogen should help us be able to get back on track sooner with his chemo.