Germs on the Loose

It has been a tough few days for my farmer. He started with fever and chills on Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday, the lymph nodes at the top of his left leg were sore all day. Thanksgiving morning, he wasn't as chilled, but there was a red patch on his lower shin. There is an old scar there from a motorcycle accident as a teenager. By evening, the red spot was redder with a pink streak going up toward the knee. I took him to the ER and he got IV antibiotics. They left the IV in place and told him to come back Friday afternoon for another dose. Overnight, the streak moved up onto his thigh, so he came back about 10 and saw Brian. After a second set of blood cultures, B. started him on a stronger, last resort type antibiotic. I am thankful it is working, there isn't more spread. We went in this morning for another infusion, and will go again on Sunday. Monday, B. will look at his leg again and decide when its ok to go to oral antibiotics.

It is scary for a family member to be sick, and feel unable to make it better. I wonder if all my patients are as worried when they see me as I was on the other end of things. Things are now improving, and I will keep you posted. Bad germs!