Larry's Journal

Back in November of last year, I experienced a high fever and chills. I was tested numerous times for Covid (all negative), as this was during the height of the Omicron variant. After five (!) visits to the ED they ruled out viral infections, and I was getting progressively worse. The ED doctors FINALLY did a blood culture, and it was revealed that I had a bacterial blood infection caused by a strain of streptococcus, and had also developed an abscess. After eight weeks of outpatient IV antibiotic therapy, I was discharged with an apparent clean bill of health. Less than two months later, the infection returned. After being hospitalized again, the ID and cardiology teams from UPenn hospital determined that the infection remained in the valve that was replaced in July 2020.  I am now going to have my second open heart surgery within 21 months to have the valve replaced again, and possibly the aortic root with the chance of needing a pacemaker. Dr. Bavaria and his team, who I have the utmost faith in, are going to do the surgery on 4/11/2022. I currently am doing self infusion of antibiotics at home until the surgery. The outlook is very promising.