Update on Timna from P337 Monday 11/30/09

Timna Update Monday 11/30/2009 11:00-ish am Eastern I approached Timna's room this morning and was struck by the vision of gowns and gloves enhanced by restricted entry signs. Timna is now in contact isolation. As Timna starts her 31st day in the hospital she has been presented with the one month anniversary gift of a mutated strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram Negative! From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram-negative_bacteria One of the several unique characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria is the structure of the outer membrane. The outer leaflet of the membrane comprises a complex lipopolysaccharide whose lipid portion acts as an endotoxin. If endotoxin enters the circulatory system it causes a toxic reaction with the sufferer having a high temperature and respiration rate and a low blood pressure. This may lead to endotoxic shock, which may be fatal. The drug chosen to combat this bacterium is MICROMEDIX Colistimethate Sodium. This appears to be the 500lb bomb of bacterial warfare. Just one of it's side effects is renal impairment. That means that Timna's already impaired kidneys will be impaired further by this bombshell. The doctors will talk to me later about the full situation. I feel empty. An emotionallly empty husk. This will change, of that I'm quite sure. Again, please pray. And from TWITTER: p337 As Timna starts her 31st day in the hospital she has been presented with the one month anniversary gift of a mutated strain of Pseudomonas p337 Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram Negative! The drug chosen to combat this bacterium is MICROMEDIX The untreated bug will kill her. p337 The treatment might kill her. p337 She's in isolation