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"I tell him I tried. I tried to keep memory alive; I tried to fight those who would forget. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. There is so much injustice & suffering crying out for our attention. We must take sides. We must interfere. -E.W.

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UTI Beats Antibiotic

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Note: This post shows an illustration of a penis in a medical-context.

One of my deepest fears is realized. The antibiotic Ryan was on for ten days, Levaquin, didn’t touch the urinary tract infection (UTI). In simple terms, the bacteria has either built up a resistance to this class of antibiotic or we were treating the wrong type of bacteria.

I was worried, all along, the UTI was still active. Ryan’s pulse was higher than normal (about twenty beats per minute). So we tested his urine and, sure enough, his urinary leukocytes (i.e., white blood cells) were in the moderate to large range. Exactly where it was before the antibiotic. So, while he was on the antibiotic it suppressed the infection only to make it more resistant once coming off. Not good.

I placed a call to Dr. Rodriguez at some crazy hour of the morning. All I can tell you is it was still dark outside and the birds hadn’t started chirping. You know what? He answered the call! Cheery as ever, but equally concerned to be getting a call from me at that early hour. I was so impressed that he had Ryan’s file with him. Incredible! Before we hung up he had already called in a different antibiotic. Like Dr. Hinkle, I love it that he cares about Ryan so much.

 

Identifying the Source

UTI’s can be caused by so many factors. It becomes an exercise in deductive logic to find the source/cause. For Ryan, I believe it to be either: 1) Failure to completely empty his bladder, and/or 2) urine re-entering the penis from back flow of the condom or wetness from a diaper.

Here’s my plan… when Ryan is a couple more days into his antibiotic I’ll do an in-out catheterization immediately after he urinates. This way he is covered by the antibiotic when I do it. This is a sterile procedure, if ever there were one, or else risk actually introducing a UTI. Just the thing we’re trying to avoid! Although his bladder should keep some urine, anything high is a clear sign he is not purging. If this is the case, we’ll begin a routine of in-out catheterization.

I’m also changing his entire urinary management system, regardless of the catheterization results. I actually stumbled upon it while doing my own research. I was trying to design my own urinary system. I knew there were adhesives in the medical field that acted as a “second skin” and I was trying to merge this into my design. The benefit being that moisture would evaporate. This would be a major UTI factor eliminated if I could make it work.

As it turns out, a company (BioDerm) already thought of this! They are the company that makes this so-called “second skin”. What a find on my part! Dare I say, a happy ending?

So, at least for now, I concede that BioDerm has a better design solution than the one I envisioned. I was taking myself down the road of using this second skin with negative pressure in the collection bag (to suction the urine away) and a second collection bag below the first to completely remove any urine and fumes from contacting the penis.

I still see how this negative pressure (or vacuüm) would be highly effective. I guess the concern would be to avoid tho suction being applied to the tip of the penis. I call this a “penis hickey”. Sure, under normal circumstance this would be a source of great pride, but sometimes I have to swallow my pride… wait, that didn’t come out right!

<via bioderm.com>

The picture (left) shows the actual product. Here are the benefits (according to several reliable resources):

  • Completely external. No moisture in contact with the skin.
  • Eliminates skin breakdown & UTIs associated with diapers, indwelling & condom catheters.
  • Skin-friendly, hydrocolloid seal that moves with the skin as the body naturally changes size/position.
  • Latex-free and hypoallergenic. The seal is gentle and will not irritate the skin.

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Comments

  2. To Ryan’s dad, in all of your massive research, have you come across anything about probiotics (OTC Culturelle, for one) for fighting off infection? Long story short, the body has both good and bad bacteria. Since antibiotics cannot differentiate between good and bad, sometimes too much good bacteria and throws things out of sync. After a 9 mth bout, tests, etc., our family happened upon information on probiotics, and out of desperation gave them a try. No exageration, within two days, the person’s system was back on track. I know Ryan is on a lot of different meds, so quite possibly this could help. I know you’ll check with his doctors too, but feel free to email me with any questions about our experience with this.

    • Scott, we give Ryan 3 capsules of advanced multi-probiotics daily. It has 18 strains and 36 millionCFUs. This is especially important when he is also on an antibiotic.

      • Wow. You are really are on top of everything! …..kind of figured you’d have already researched it yourself, but just wanted to make sure. I hope the new antibiotic does the trick for Ryan.

  3. Amazing–sounds something like an abstract from New England Journal of Medicine. I want to be there when you get your degree You da man, Ken! I hope this UTI gets resolved quickly, and we can all stop worrying. Love

  4. This post just proves that unconditional love never slumbers. It is always seeking opportunities to extend its overwhelming concern and protection and to demonstrate its limitless compassion.

    *Still praying*

  5. Praying for Ryan to quickly and successfully overcome the UTI. You are doing an awesome job Ken!
    Love, Peggie

  6. Thanks for posting on this. I had sent you an email asking these types of questions a couple of weeks ago and this answers them all. I am wondering if you have tried the D-mannose, cranberry tablets, uva-ursi,corn silk should keep a UTI away, so he won’t have to stay on antibiotics he may be building a resistance to.
    What a doctor.

  7. Wow, Ken — they should just go ahead and give you an honorary M.D. to put after your name!! Had to read this twice to process it all — no, three times! Amazing — you’re amazing!! You take such good care of Ryan — thank God for you!!!

    Hoping you and Ryan enjoy the soothing beat of the rain today, and still praying for more and more healing every day for Ryan.

    Love & hugs, Paula

  8. Ken ,It’s simply amazing how you can figure these things out. Ryan is very lucky to have you for a Dad(of course Sue and Kari too..for his Mom and sis)Hopefully this will work along with new antibiotics .My thoughts and prayers always for Ryan and your family. love Gail

  9. Dr. Ken.

    Amazed, does not encompass the word and feeling I have of how you research and apply your results to Ryan. You continue to lift up Ryan for healing. God bess you Ken, Ryan, Sue and Kari~

  10. Ken, you’re so smart! I’m pretty quick, but you kind of lost me there. Not only are you a loving father & husband, but your list of ad-hoc jobs goes on & on: RN, physical therapist, MD, medical research specialist, inventor, football coin-tosser … it’s still too early for me to remember all your special talents. Don’t let these accolades go to your head. Remember, your most important job and calling in life is “Loving Dad” and you’re doing a great job of that!! SHSP, NGA!

  11. Hoping the newly prescribed ABT works on the UTI. Keep up the good work Ken, you are doing a fantastic job for your son!

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Ryan's Rally, ℅ Ken Diviney
21092 Carthagena Ct.
Ashburn, VA 20147
kdiviney@ryansrally.org