Latest Update on Melissa

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I wanted to give you an update on Melissa. Two weeks ago Melissa came down with either a sinus infection or an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), took her in to her primary doctor. After three days (last Friday) she started coughing really bad. With Melissa having CF we always have to keep and eye on her when she starts coughing. After talking with the CF Clinic on Friday we started her on her breathing treatments and they wanted us to call back on Monday (yesterday) to give them an update on Melissa. She was still coughing so they had Melissa come in today for a checkup she had to have chest x-rays taken.
After talking with the doctor the cough could be one of three things.
1) she could be coughing because of the drainage from this last URI
2) RSV is going around and she could had had a touch of it
3) It could be caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Back in December she had a throat culture taking and it showed that Melissa was growing Pseudomonas aerugionsa. This is a type of bacteria that, among other things, causes lung infections in people with CF. Melissa is now taking her regular breathing treatments but has to take TOBI( Tobramycin Inhalation Solution which is a inhealed medication for CF patients. Melissa is also on a strong antibiotic to help kill this bacteria. If untreated this could cause a lot of lung problems for Melissa. Her chest x-rays came back looking good and her lungs sound clear. So with this treatment we should be able to stop the bacteria from spreading to her lungs. She isn't contagious so she can still be around everyone.

Paul and I want to thank you all for being so supportive of Melissa. She has been doing well these past 2 1/2 years and we hope she stays this way for ever. We know that things could get worse, but we pray that the cure for CF comes soon.

Please continue to keep Melissa in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank,
Traci