Update on Justin (from Mrs. Killilay)

Please pray for Justin. For those of you who don't know, he got a respiratory virus right after we arrived in FL (a week ago Sat.) and with the rain and A/C it developed into pneumonia by the time we got home (last Thurs.) He was put on Augmentin and an inhaler but by Sat. morning his face had swelled and there were blisters all over his lips and mouth (Yes, I have pictures. No, I won't post them). The doctors thought it was a reaction to the inhaler so we stopped using that. However, Sunday morning it was much worse. A call to the doc said they think it could be a strain of virus, nothing to be done and let it run its course. Sunday night the pediatrician called me at home and said she couldn’t get the image of him and the stuff out of her mind so she’d done some researching and found a rare syndrome called Stevens-Johnson. It’s where the body decides to “become” allergic to a penicillin based antibiotic and/or an a-typical bacterial pneumonia. She asked that we come in first thing Monday AM so she could check some other things. Thirty min. later she called back and said we needed to take him first thing to the Children’s Hospital in Atlanta and that she would call ahead to let them know what was up so far. Here's what we know as of Tuesday evening--I'm supposed to be sleeping ;) A chest x-ray showed pneumonia and lesions within the esophagus all the way up to his throat/mouth that were consistent with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. We were admitted early Monday morning; he’s been put on an IV to keep up with hydration (he hasn’t had any solid foods since a week ago Sat.); he’s run a consistent temp between 101-103 for that same period of time, so he’s on meds for that as well as Loritab for pain. His body is still breaking out with skin lesions that look like popped pimples or bug bites. His mouth is incredibly swollen and the blisters are everywhere and honestly it’s not pretty. He’s coughing up mucus and blood which is unnerving but it’s thought that this is from those lesions breaking inside. Last night was worse in that he was more uncomfortable, so today they’ve put him on morphine. We've seen a dermatologist who checked on the lesions and they are putting him on an IV/IG (immunoglobulin) to boost his immune system and help him to start fighting this better. He's been upgraded to a more severe case due to increased lesion breakouts. His eyes are still clear for which we are thankful. He's worn down and discouraged. He is highly susceptible to germs and today they've really struggled getting IV's started--he has one in each hand now. He'll do 2 rounds of the IV/IG with time between each round for monitoring effect; so we're looking at least friday before there's even a chance of him coming home but at this point the doctor's aren't even guessing on a day. The pneumonia seems to be responding to the new antibiotic and he was taken off oxygen this afternoon.There are a few other things they are watching out for but they are certain he will recover fully with no scarring or negative side effects from this. He has been poked, prodded, gawked at and photographed due to the rare occurence. I'll be glad when he can be a little boy again...Interesting note: SJS affects less than 3 people per million per year and these are typically mild-moderate cases. The average age is 26 for females; mid-40's for males. Justin is 12. Wednesday AM: More tests ordered; another chest x-ray to be done. He got 4 good hours of sleep but his fever spiked probably a side effect to IV/IG, but he had to go back on oxygen @ midnight and then had a severe bloody nose. :(Saturday:I am home briefly to pay some bills (some things don't stop!). Just an FYI, the hospital computer network won't allow me to get on FB which is why the updates are spotty at best. I haven't really left sinced that night "out" on Tuesday. Justin slept for 4 solid hours last night. He is talking more which is a bonus. The dermatologists believe he has hit the plateau and today or tomorrow he will turn the corner. That being said, we will be in the hospital for the better part of next week. There are so many things that have to happen before he can be released. The pneumonia is rapidly improving and I almost forget we are battling that too in the light of the SJS and how difficult that has been. Justin has to work on learning to swallow again so we're trying a popsicle after he's had morphine. His spirits are improving and while he still is breaking out with new lesions, they are not as big as they have been and for that reason they think it is finally slowing down. Please pray for his throat, esophagus, and eyes. There are blisters now on his tear ducts but they will do another thorough exam early next week to see about any damage etc.Pray for me and Bill. He has to go back to work on Monday, so for me, it will be 24/7 alone and he needs to be able to concentrate at work while he's there and not be worried. We feel confident that Justin is improving! My parnents took Brendan and Jerrod and little Jumper to Chattanooga with them this morning and they will plan on keeping them for a week so I can concentrate on being with Justin especially next week.Thanks SO much for your prayers. Maybe next week I can respond to individual posts! :)