Sean Hatzfeld

Survivor

My son Sean was just 7 years old when he went into septic shock from a bacterial infection in the sinuses on February 18, 2013.

It all started when Sean got the flu on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, just 3 weeks after being diagnosed with strep throat. (Sepsis and Strep ThroatSepsis and Influenza) The doctor said he should drink plenty of fluids and take Motrin, and by the end of the weekend he should be feeling better. The fevers came and went but when Sunday came, Sean was not able to hold anything down. He also began to show unusual bruising around his left eyebrow area, which we through may have been from the pressure of vomiting. That night, Sean was having high temperatures again and was unable to sleep. By the time the daylight broke, we came to see the Sean’s eye was swollen so badly that it warranted an emergency room visit, thinking it was either an allergic reaction or an eye infection.

We took Sean to the emergency room at South Nassau where, miraculously, had no one else waiting. He was seen right away, given a cat scan and diagnosed with orbital cellulitis, or an infection around the cells surrounding the eye. They promptly administered fluids since Sean was dehydrated from the vomiting and fevers. They also, thankfully, began intravenous antibiotics. What was strange was that he also broke out in a red rash from his torso and arms down to his feet. The nurse in the ER swore he was allergic to something and gave him Benadryl, at which point the rash immediately ceased. Then, they indicated that they did not have a pediatric ophthalmologist at that hospital so they were going to transport him to Winthrop Hospital. Sean was swiftly transported to Winthrop in their ambulance with his portable IV and was awaiting a room in the hallway of the pediatrics ward. Again, without delay, which in hindsight we find to be both lucky and unusual.

Once we got Sean into a bed they took his vitals, unwrapped his sheets and came to find another rash, this time a strange one. It was pink with little black dots all over. Suddenly, the room was filled with multiple doctors and a sense of urgency quickly filled the room. He was rushed through the hallway doors into the Pediatric intensive Care Unit and hooked up to multiple monitors. His blood pressure was 60/30 and heart was pumping at 180 beats per minute. We came find through the critical care specialist that Sean was in grave danger. “Your son is very, very sick, he went in septic shock,” the doctor said. What? What are you talking about? We were speechless, eyes wide open, jaws dropped. They prepared us for the worst.

The day progressed, minute by minute with stomachs turned and insides shaking. We were in shock. What was happening? So many doctors came in to diagnose and confer with each other. Sean’s blood pressure needed to be stabilized. They even brought in a new monitor to help assess Sean’s blood flow to and from his heart to ensure his heart and brain functions. It was cutting edge technology and required on-the-job training with Sean as the case study. We were told that his body was being attacked by toxins released by an unknown infection that entered his blood stream. These toxins attack the organs and try to shut the body down. They needed to pump Sean with fluid, maintain his blood pressure and administer three of the strongest of antibiotics until the culture came back with the type of infection, which would not be for three days. The ear, nose, and throat specialist and the ophthalmologist were brought in to help identify the source of the infection.

It was determined that there was a sinus infection that might need to be operated on but Sean was too unstable. So they aimed at stabilizing him that first night and also see if the antibiotics began to work on the infection. After multiple blood tests, urine analyses, x-rays and a very long, uncertain first night, it was determined that the antibiotics were not working as fast as they should. The doctors needed to get Sean into surgery and remove the sinus infection.

At this point, Sean had been through an extremely difficult past 24 hours. He was so hungry but was not allowed to eat. It had been a couple days now since he had last eaten something of substance. The high fever, multiple entry points, and tests were taking a toll on him. He was agitated and began speaking erratically and hallucinating. Sean’s eye swelling had progressed to the other eye; he could not see anything. He just wanted to be left alone. And he told them all as much.

The next morning, they pushed up Sean’s surgery and after a long one-and-half hour wait, he made it through with flying colors. Now, with Sean sedated indefinitely and intubated, we had to wait and see if that was the true source of the infection by monitoring the blood tests for reductions in white blood cell counts.

On Day 3, the pathology report on the infection in the sinuses came back as well as the culture. It was a match – STREP. The antibiotics began to work but in the meantime, the toxin level in his blood remained high. The doctors now needed to do damage control. Levels in the blood indicative of lung, liver and kidney damage remained high white his platelet bunt was extremely low. This meant that his body was not taking over and combating the toxins. Day 4 brought bad news: Sean’s kidneys were failing. He needed dialysis to help remove the excess fluids and waste from his body. This was all so surreal. It was still touch and go. Minute by minute; monitor by monitor; sound by sound. Was this really happening to our little boy?

In the meantime, prayers and well wishes flowed in from all around. From the beginning, we did not believe that this was Sean’s time. It was not until another critical care doctor came into speak to us and gave us some hope. She was on the New York State Board of Sepsis and at that time we knew that God made a path for Sean and led him to this very place, the very best place he could possibly be at such a time. She said she had no doubt his kidneys would recover.

In the hands of the most wonderful pediatric intensive care doctors, nurses and specialists at Winthrop Hospital, after a few more days of Dialysis, respirators, transfusions and platelet exchange therapy, Sean would turn a corner by Day 7. With his numbers dramatically increasing that day, he was taken off the respirator on Day 8.

Sean remained in the hospital for only 6 more days receiving physical therapy and the next round of medications. Sean’s strength really began to shine through. Every day, he showed dramatic improvement and after more testing, medication, and physical therapy, coupled with racing the halls and visits to the playroom by Day 14, we were on our way home with Sean but not before a quick MRI to rule out an infection in his foot. As one of the doctors put it “multiple organ failure and he’s walking out the door”….a walking miracle.

In looking back we are so grateful for the grace of God for putting us at the right place at the right time. Sean got the best care possible. There wasn’t a minute that went by where the diligent PICU nurses were not attending to Sean and monitoring every IV, vital and tubing. There wasn’t a time where we felt Sean was not getting the best care possible. In fact, we were quite grateful for the expertise shared amongst the many specialists for their vigilance in helping Sean turn the corner. As for Sean, he is one strong kid. Poked and prodded, he maintained his will and internal strength. There was a reason Sean was chosen for this. His case was so rare; meaning that a sinus infection caused sepsis that further work is being done in this area now. With your help, we can continue to raise awareness and assist Winthrop PICU combat this deadly condition.

Note from Sepsis Alliance: Sean’s family held a charity golf outing that raised $25,000 for Winthrop, to help educate parents and pediatricians about the early signs of sepsis.

Source: by Patricia Ferraro (Sean's mother)

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