Manic Monday

We have had quite a busy day around here:

Opthomology consult - confirmed that he has inflamation in his eyes
Cardiology consult - Echocardiogram was done this afternoon. It will be used as a baseline after we do the meds
Rheumatology consult - they have a lot of labs pending. they agree that
Epstein Barr (mono) - test came back negative
Rapid respiratory panel all came back negative (including flu)

All specialists and the pediatrician have agreed to treat him for Kawasaki Disease. For more information go to www.chop.edu/healthinfo/kawasaki-disease.html It is extremely uncommon for there to be a recurrence (0.1% in caucasians) and this case is again considered ATYPICAL in it's presentation. That said, even though the doctors are not positive about this diagnosis, they have all assured us that the benefits of doing the treatment far outweigh the risks. The main risk being permanent damage to his coronary artery (which he luckily did not get when he was 3). So - they do the treatment and then repeat the echocardiogram to see if any inflamation around his heart did any damage to the coronary artery.

The treatment is IVIG - a course of intravenus immunoglobulin. This is administered through an IV in his hand over the course of the next 10 hours. We just started it at 5:15 and expect that if all goes well, he will finish it during the night. We are watching him extremely carefully right now to make sure that he does not have an allergic reaction to it. The nurses are coming in every 15 minutes to take his vital signs and Evan and I are holding close to his bedside.

We are all waiting for further rheumatology test results to come back as they are looking carefully for other vascular issues and autoimmune problems. Some of these tests take a few days and others take up to 6 weeks to return results so regardless of what happens as a result of tonights treatment, we will still be following this for the next few months.

He has certainly been put through the ringer today with a lot of doctors, a lot of blood drawn, a lot of specialists, and the IV specialist working on his IV site. He continues to run those high fevers and is having trouble taking the aspirin that is part of the treatment (he is taking 6 baby aspirin 4 times a day).

Now that the treatment has started, Jacob fell asleep - partially because he was exhausted and has a high fever right now, and partially as a defense mechanism - a way to turn off all those doctors and nurses who are constantly messing with him (which he did last time around).

We will continue to update you throughout the night and appreciate all the love and prayers that everyone is sending our way.