MRI Results

The MRI results determined Caleb has a subdural hematoma (accumulation of blood on his brain).  It is acute and putting pressure on the tissue.  His brain has not shifted yet (is still in midline).  They did a CT scan in the middle of the night (6 hours later) to check if it was still bleeding.   Thankfully it had not changed.  This explains why he has been having seizures.  They did another spinal tap today and his white cell count had increased.  This leads to the diagnosis that he had pneumococcal meningitis which likely started from his ear infections and crossed into the brain blood.  He isn't contagious, nor has he been.  Although bacterial, this is a different type of meningitis than we typically think of; however, still extremely dangerous & critical. With his history, his immune system is weaker and being an infant, the barrier is thin, which allowed this to happen.

They are concerned that a cerebral abscess formed and that is where the bleeding came from, potentially caused by being on Lovenox for his blood clot (anticoagulant).  Neurology is following him closely, working with meds to stop the seizures.  I met with the neurosurgeon today who said we've dodged the first bullet of surgery since he wasn't continuing to bleed (they immediately stopped Lovenox and gave him plasma (the blood's coagulant) to reverse the effects).  Now the seizures must get under control or he will have surgery to drain the blood in order to relieve the pressure.  Prayerfully, he will respond to the anti-seizure meds; and over time, his body will absorb the blood.  Meanwhile, he has to be on 14 days of IV antibiotics for the infection (we are on day 3).  He looked slightly better today/ a little more alert.

Needless to say, this is a lot to absorb for us.  We're optimistic, as we always are, that Caleb will pull through it and be that much tougher (he didn't even wince through today's spinal tap!). Please pray that the seizures stop, the blood absorbs, and that he continues to feel better.  (I'm trying to sign him up for tubes in fear of it happening again.)  :o)