Michael's Fight-BacterialMenigitis

On the 15th of May, 2016 at 4:00AM, Michael Rodriguez, who is only 18 months old, was brought to Cook Children’s Medical Center (CCMC).  He had developed a low grade fever on the 11th that was lowered and maintained with medication.  Thursday morning, his fever spiked to 102, his parents immediately took him to his Primary Care Physician.  He was evaluated and given a chest X-Ray.  The parents were told that he had a Viral Small Airway Infection and was to be monitored for 24-48 hours.  He was given Zofran for throwing up and no medication as it was determined to be viral.  If his fever was controlled with medication, the virus would just run its course.  On Friday, while his fever was under control, he was still sick.  His mother called the PCP again, informing them of his status and they said to still monitor that fever was under control and watch him for 24 – 48 hours.  His fever continued to stay under control, but his neck was hurting.  On Saturday night she got home and checked the baby before bed.  She found him constantly whimpering and not moving his head at all, fully extended backwards.  Suspecting meningitis, her and her partner, Michael's Dad Billy, took him to Cook Children’s Medical Center.  Within 10 minutes he was in the back ER room with technicians and doctors all over him, evaluating him, taking blood, etc.  Then a lumbar puncture was performed.  The spinal fluid came out cloudy, determining that he has spinal meningitis.  A little later the doctor came back and from what the blood showed, it was probably bacterial.  They had already started him on Vancomycin (sp?) and Rospahen (sp?) at very high doses and would treat it as bacterial.  Chances of the culture coming back viral was basically zero, it was now a matter of finding out which strain he had.  This would take 24 hours.  Within an hour or so they were admitted to PICU (Pediatric ICU).  They were expected to stay for 1-2 days in PICU.  Amazingly, within 4 hours Michael had made a drastic improvement, the doctor from Infectious Disease felt they might get to a regular room that night, they did.  Michael has since made a very slow progress in healing, which was good, he had also gone without fever, he wasn’t throwing up anymore and they took him off Vancomycin.  He is now no longer contagious.  He has also tested negative for the meningitis bacteria.  All good news and good progress….

However, his last 4 CBCs, have slowly been on the rise, the latest one from the May 18th AM has become the being the most concerning.  Total CBC count has risen from 114 to  228 points.  Another area of the CBC indicated an infection, since he is free of meningitis, at this time, the Dr does not know the source of the infection or why Michael is starting to fever again, so an MRI was done on the 18th of May, results pending.

Here lies the problems that the family has incurred due to this very deadly and possibly life crippling infection happening to little Michael.  They are a single income family right now, supporting 3 children and her mother.  Tami is employed but has exhausted her PTO.  Due to this, she will not be receiving an income while they live at the hospital for the stay they have been told they will have.  She cannot get Short Term Disability since she isn’t the one hospitalized.  They are expected to be at CCMC for 2 weeks at minimum, longer depending on how Michael progresses.  It does not stop there for them.  Once he is home, they will have a slew of doctor’s appointments to go to and checkups, multiple per week.   Michael will have to be on long term antibiotics.   He will have to be tested for brain damage, organ damage, and any type of physiological and psychological damages and address them as required. 

Since she does not have an incoming coming in, this will create a major hardship on them.  Medical bills alone will be astronomical.  To keep his medical insurance, they will have to pay insurance, somehow, from their own pockets.  This will affect their house payments, utilities, food, medications, doctor’s visits, etc. 

Please, they need your help, badly.  If you know Tami, she is quick to help anyone who needs it if she can. They have already found themselves in very hard financial times because the last check received was used as usual for daily expenses and bills.  We all are either having a rough time financially now or have been in this spot before.  This will quickly cripple their finances and lives.  For Tami & Billy to ask for help is very hard for them.  It is a humbling experience for them, for anyone.  They almost lost their son and have a long road to recovery.  Anything you can do helps.  It doesn't have to be money, it can be food, diapers, wipes, formula, gift cards for restaurants, gas, or stores.  Please share this on any social media outlet you can.  Any and all help is greatly and humbly appreciated.  Thank you for your kindness in advance and expect a thank you personally from the family.