Our Journey thru JDM and Life!: Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago (CMH)

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)-

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago (CMH)

I thought I add one post about the Hospital here in Chicago.

Most of you know that both boys had Tethered Spinal Cord Surgeries done at the Children's Hospital in Dallas. Alexander in December 2005, and Connor in August 2006. Our experience there was wonderful in regards to the hospital, the treatment and the personal... Doctors to Nurses. EXCELLENT.

Well, Chicago CMH is just as great and the people here are wonderful and just plain amazing with children. Super patient, and most importantly very compassionate. They don't just talk to us as the parent but always address the child and talk to them, listen and make them feel heard.

The only difference to the Children's Hospital in Dallas is the building. It is very old and not every room is private. There are kids on our floor (a lot of babies) who are in isolation so need a room for themselves. The good news is that the new hospital is being build and will open in down town Chicago in two years. We figure we will get to see it since Connor's treatment might last for a few years and we will have to come back to ORD every 3 to 4 months.

So to make a long story short. If I can give any advice I would always recommend, if you have a choice, to take your Child to a Children's Hospital.

Hugs,

R A C A