Thursday, January 31, 2013

this blogging is kind of cool!

The doctor appointment went well - Ryan had no fever (thank you, Tylenol)!  Our pediatrician is great - this is just a little out of his league.  He has his thoughts and opinions  but is having us see an infectious disease doctor next week.  Please keep praying ...

In regards to Matthew - I really can't get used to his silly smile with this big hole on the top of his mouth!  I think losing that top front tooth has aged him greatly!  Hopefully I can get some pics on here soon!

The weekend Chad and Ryan came down for Aunt Julie's baby shower, Matthew and I got a wild hair!  We found bathroom decor sets at Wal-Mart for kids.  Matthew asked if we could get one and I not only said yes, but I said, "Let's paint the boys' bathroom!'  I totally got the cool mom award for the day (maybe the weekend)!!  We went home and painted the bathroom upstairs a semi-tropical blue color and hung an Angry Birds shower curtain, put down Angry Birds rugs and put Angry-Bird wall stickies (from their bedroom) up.  While the mirror was off the wall, I sanded the frame, painted it white, then distressed it a bit.  I thought I could surprise everyone and hang a light fixture all on my own, but wound up calling in reinforcements - Poppy!  Needless to say, we were so excited for Chad and Ry to come home and see our very own version of "While You Were Out:"!  It was a very awesome day!

What a first blog!!

So, this is my first attempt at blogging.  I have been quite anti-blogging, as I don't think I'd ever have enough time to keep up with it.  Until now.  I am home with a sick boy.  I know this too shall pass, so I won't make any promises as to how long I can keep up with it!

Ryan has been sick since Sunday night.  It started with a headache, again.  Then a 105 degree fever, again.  This has been happening for at least 9 months that Chad and I can remember.  I have not routinely taken him to the doctor for this - the couple times I did they said he had the flu and sent us home.  It wasn't worth all the trouble and money going to the doctor just for them to tell you he's fine and go home.

I hit my limit Monday.  I took him to the doctor after the fever was 105 and he possibly had a febrile seizure from the fever.  After a urine test and 3 tubes of blood, the best guess the doctor has is, "It's not leukemia."  Well, that's definitely awesome, but what is it?

The best guess at this time is Periodic Fever Syndrome or PFAPA for a longer, more official name.  This link has a lot of good info: Learn About PFAPA

Now that I am certain this is what he has, though the docs haven't officially diagnosed it, I am struggling with the thought of scheduling him for surgery for a tonsillectomy in the hopes he's one of the 80-90% of kids that this helps.  Of course, though, he is one of only 20% of people who have a different-than-normal-shaped epiglottis; this lends me to believe he could be one of only 10-20% of people who have PFAPA that a tonsillectomy won't help.

Ugh.  Another doctor appointment this afternoon.  Fingers crossed, prayers lifted.

Family - Chad and I have not called you to tell you because this has been a lot to think about, and process, all while working, taking care of the little guy, and making sure Matthew is staying up with school and all.  Plus, we really don't know for sure what is wrong.  I will keep you posted as we know more - please do not be upset if I don't answer your calls very timely - I will be better at email for now.  Love, M