July 13, 2026
Tatum has made progress each day and although not at baseline yet, is feeling so much better. Blood cultures remain negative which is a big win with this type of infection. Infectious Disease (ID) thinks the infection is localized to the tissue surrounding the insertion site of her central line. And just inside, under the skin tissue.
The central line tubing is “sticky” to bacteria and the bacteria can run the length of the tubing in her tissue to her heart. Usually, with a blood infection, you can flood the inside of the line with antibiotics and frequently clear it. With an infection on the outside of the line, in the skin tissue, it’s harder to clear. The safest bet it to pull the line and replace it on the other side of her chest. But there is a limited amount of lifetime access for central lines. Tate has already had many. So….we’re opting to finish out iv antibiotics and pray that they did the trick. The infection would show itself about a week after finishing the antibiotics, if it were to come back.
We are asking to go home tomorrow and watch things from there. We are adept at Iv meds at home, so that part is easy. Tate has IVIG Wed, Thur, Friday. So it’s right back to the hospital, but sleeping in your own beds is underrated. We’ll be grateful to sleep at home.
Thanks for all the prayers.