Timeline from first symptom to diagnosis

Our son Connor was diagnosed with JDM in January of 2010 and here is a bit of a timeline to show you how this diagnosis was reached...

Towards the end of November 2009, Connor mentioned some pain in his right foot. We found a Plantar Wart and began treating it. We went on vacation in Germany were he mentioned a pain in his knee's, to feeling in his own words, pain 'inside his legs'. By the time we got home on December 9, he needed to be carried almost everywhere. By the end of December he was unable to feed himself, dress himself, sit up or down, lay down and of course walk. Here is a list of tests he went through between December 10 to December 28, 2009

X-ray of his Hips
MRI of his spine
X-ray of his chest
CAT Scan of his brain
CAT Scan of his chest
MRI of his chest
MRI of his hips
Numerous Blood Work
Spinal Tap
and we finished with a Muscle Biopsy

There were many speculations of what might be causing Connor so much pain and one of them was Gullian Barre Syndrom (GBS) due to his first symptoms showing up within a few days of his H1N1 Flu Shot.

The final Diagnosis came on January 11, 2010
-Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM)-

Hope

Hope

Monday, January 25, 2010

Back to School ... At least it feels like it ...


For the last two days I have tried to read up on JDM and get organized as best as I can. I feel like we as a family are heading back to College. So far we have a journal and a three ring binder that documents Connor's beginning stages to now step by step. Plus of course we have this blog. So I am typing or hand writing all day and trying not to get Carpal Tunnel Syndrome :)

I am happy that Ron is home for a couple of days since this always calms us down. There has been no change for Connor, good or bad as of today. He had a hard time in the car today and we had to stop twice to readjust his sitting position and he told us he wanted a soft booster seat... do they even exist?
And to make our drive from Lake George to Colorado Springs and back complete, Alexander got sick and threw up in the car while we were driving on Interstate 25.....

What really is hard to put into words is the fact that up to now it has always been easy making decisions for us as a family, for one self or even when it comes to raising the boys. Now there is no concrete answer to which path to take and what impact our choice can have to Connor's recovery into remission. The Book 'Myositis and You' has been very informative and it really gives us more and more to think about. We are going to call Dr. Smith tomorrow to talk to him about the treatment plan's mentioned. It seems the key to a way into remission is going after this disease fairly aggressive from the get go.

On a bright note I will have some more work to do and set up a whole wall for all the 'Get Well' Cards Connor has gotten over the last few weeks. As to gifts the boys are receiving as well, they seem to think Christmas is a continues Holiday. I told them that from now on when they are practicing their writing skills it will be in the form of writing 'Thank You' cards and that might last for the rest of the school year - haha

1 comment:

  1. Hi Anke!
    I just wanted you to know that my heart is with you and the boys. Especially Connor. I will follow along on your journey through your blog. Always wishing you the best. Sophie said to tell A & C hi from her.

    Best of luck to you. Hope your DC trip is fruitful.

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