More Medical Issues...

Where do I start? The immunologist appointment was on Tuesday. Gavin does NOT have DiGeorge Syndrome that I talked about here. We also learned that he doesn't make the appropriate antibodies for a person with up to date vaccinations. He was below baseline on 23 different antibodies, which is not normal. He was given a 'special' pneumococcal vaccination (similar to Prevnar that is given to all children) to help boost antibody production. This works in 95% of all cases. His decreased antibody production explains why he is so susceptible to illness (and why we spend so much time in the doctor's office.) We go back in 5 weeks for a repeat check of his antibody production, to see if the vaccine worked.

Now onto new issues...Gavin started limping a little over a week ago. I noticed it on Monday of last week. According to Chad, Gavin fell in a hole at PawPaw Randy's house on Saturday, and we thought that is why he was limping. On Tuesday, he was limping even worse, so we went to the doctor. X-rays were ordered and normal. It was assumed he probably had a bruise or sprain and that he would get better with time. Fast Forward to Tuesday (of this week) and he is still limping. We went back to the pediatrician, and this time she ordered x-rays of both legs (hip to toe) and some bloodwork. X-rays were normal, but the bloodwork, however, was not. I'm not 100% sure what all of this means, but I'll tell you what I think (keep in mind, I'm not a doctor LOL). He had an elevated ANA profile, a low white blood cell count, and a low platelet count. According to the doctor, the ANA profile wasn't extremely elevated (but still concerning) and the WBC and Platelet counts weren't super low (but still concerning) but all of this isn't normal. We are going to see Dr. Moore (hematologist) on Monday for repeat CBC (Complete Blood Count) and a more extensive ANA profile. I found a common link with all of these 'symptoms' and the common link is Rheumatoid Arthritis. So, I think they are (or will be) testing him for Juvenile Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is another autoimmune disorder, just like the autoimmune hemolytic anemia he already has.

I think it's crappy and unfair that Gavin has to go through all of this. He's been through so much in his little life...more than his daddy and myself put together. Everytime I think there is light at the end of the tunnel...the tunnel just gets longer. This sucks.