Help Colton Heal

Because of the treatment plan, Colton will be unable to work for at least 6 - 8 weeks. He is self employed, so EI isn't an option and he has no medical benefits.

Colton has a heart of gold. He would do anything for those he loves but this time he needs some help. Those that know him, know he's never been one to ask for help but he's got a long road to a full recovery ahead. Anything you can do will go long way. Every bit counts. 

I'm hoping to help him put together enough funds to cover a couple months of rent and bills, so he can focus on just getting better. I want to reduce the stress as much as possible. Healing is going to be a full time job. 

The whole story 

Colton started to feel unwell early January. At first we thought it was a bad flu; he had all the usual symptoms. We went to the hospital Friday, January 20th. They did some tests but nothing came back. The doc gave him fluids and sent us on our way.

We had a couple of days at home before things went from not great to really bad. Colton had a fever and was sweating buckets. He stopped being able to keep anything down, even water. His foot had started to hurt and he could barely put weight on it. We noticed it had become red in two spots and was starting to swell. The pain was terrible. It looked like an infected cut can get but there wasn't one, not even broken skin. 

When we came back to the ER on the evening of the 24th, his vitals we're all over the map. They brought him in right away to start fluids and anti nausea meds. They gave him Tylenol for the 104° fever he was sweating through. The doc said his foot had cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection. It was while she was examining this she noticed that Colton also had spotting on his palms and soles. These were the first sign of the the potential endocarditis. Janeway Lesions and Osler Nodes, she said. They started IV antibiotics immediately and officially admitted him to the hospital. The doctor ordered a slew of tests and blood work and we waited for results. 

We spent the first night in a bed in the ER He was severely dehydrated and his potassium level was critical. They kept him stable and comfortable so he could rest. It was probably the most sleep he'd had in weeks. In the morning they moved us to a "recliner" in the hallway and there we stayed for the next 2 days while we waited for a bed upstairs. 

The next day they did an echocardiogram to check how the infection was affecting his heart. Colton had a pre-existing prolapsed mitral valve. While it didn't effect his heart's function, it did make it easier for the infection to take hold. The echo showed that there were vegetations growing on the valve. 

They continued to treat Colton with antibiotics with the assumed diagnosis of endocarditis while we waited for specialists, results and a bed. Again they kept him stable but there wasn't much improvement. Tests were coming back inconclusive and no one was able to give us answers. While the cellulitis on his foot was very slowly starting to reduce, he started to have pain in his thigh. The internalist order a CT to make sure there wasn't any clotting. 

On Thursday the 26th in the afternoon, they finally found him a bed in the hallway upstairs on 6 North, an in-patient care unit. They continued to run doses of antibiotics via IV over the day. The following morning they took him for a TEE, like an echocardiogram but via scope so they can have a closer look and get a better picture. Aside from the vegetation growth, the infection had eaten away at part of the valve, creating a tiny flap. Luckily, his heart function hasn't being compromised by it so far.

After the TEE, they moved Colton up to the Cardiac ward so they could monitor his heart functions. They kept him hooked up to a heart monitor for the first day or so, until they were confident it was doing alright. We've been in this room since.

There still aren't any answers, but he is starting to improve. He's tired but he's getting some colour back and is a little more himself. His vitals are pretty much back to normal. He's able to eat again and is getting sleep at night. The cellulitis is mostly cleared up. The pain in his thigh disappeared a few days ago, but he is having pain in his calf now. They're still monitoring him for clots and are going to do an ultrasound. The majority of the spots on his hands and feet have cleared up. 

The current plan is to have a PICC line put in so we can do a 6 week course of antibiotics from home. There will be regular check ups with home care to make sure everything is going well. 

Cardio will be following up after the run of antibiotics to do another echo and see how the growth and valve are doing. If they are happy with how it's healing we're good. If the valve isn't mending, they'll refer to Vernon/Kelowna cardiac surgery to repair it but that's a ways off yet. 

The nurses and doctors we've had have been nothing short of amazing. I have so much gratitude and respect for every one of them. 

We were lucky enough to have his incredible family come from Saskatchewan to be here in the hospital with us for several days. Even with the low energy and everything going on, he was absolutely ecstatic to see them. It did wonders for his spirits and I'm not able to thank his Mom, Stepdad and sisters enough for dropping everything to hop two provinces to be here. His youngest sister and dad check in regularly and keep him going too. 

There has been a huge outpouring of well wishes and support from his friends and family. He's had friends visit and there are even more that check in with him regularly. 

All of these people, all of this love, all of this support really showcases what an incredible human he is. It's been scary and there have been some tough moments, but through almost all of this he's maintained his ever positive attitude and optimism. 

Colton plans to spend his recovery time studying reffing, playing video games, and taking it easy. I'm sure he'll spend plenty of time planning too. He sees this as an opportunity to slow down and reset so he can come back stronger than ever. 

Thank you so much for reading his story. As the days go, and we know more I'll try to keep the updates coming.