Phillips hospital stay June 2006

This whole section is for our Pippy. Phillip this is the story of how you were diagnosed with JRA. One monday morning you woke up with a very high fever 102.7 and a rash. I called the Dr and they said it is a virus it will pass. The fever lasted for 3 days and went up to 104.2. I took you to patiend first. They advised that it is a virus it will pass. The fever continued. I took you to your pediatrician. We had to see a new Dr because she was not in. She advised the same thing.. it is a viris it will pass. The fever stayed for over a week. I took you to CHKD emergency room your temp was now 105 they advised that it was a virus and it would pass. The temperature and rash lasted for 14 days. You went back to the Dr. This time you were able to see your pediatrician. SHe was very concerned that the fever had stayed so long. She ordered lab work and x-rays. The x-rays showed that you had some fluid in your lungs and your lab work was abnormal. The Dr had me bring you back in and they gave you an antibiotic shot in your leg. The next day I noticed that you were not using your leg - so I thought. Come to find out it was your arm you were not using- you were trying to use your leg instead and that made it look like you were limping. We went back to the Dr and she was very concerned. She had no idea what it could be. Your symptoms fell under a lot of diseases but you did not have enough symptoms for any one disease. She sent us to CHKD for more blood work and x-rays. The X-rays showed fluid on your elbow. The Dr's performed a tap on your elbow and took fluid off your joint. The fluid looked good but they wanted to perform more test. Your blood work came back abnormal again and they decided to admit you. Daddy and I were very concerned. We spent the whole night in the emergency room because they did not have have a bed for you. At 3am we finally got you to a room. They did not know what was wrong with you but started antibiotics and scheduled to have surgery on your joint to remove the fluid. The antibiotics and surger did not relieve you of your symptoms so the Dr's started calling in more Dr's and tried to figure out what was wrong with you. Below are some pictures of you the day before you went into the hospital. Your fever would only come at night and in the early morning during the day you were fine. Later we would find out that this is common with JRA.