So How Did We Get Here?

After consideration of how to best keep loved ones informed, we felt that a blog was appropriate. 

A long story . . .

Back in May, Davis developed a sore throat and we noticed a couple of swollen lymph nodes. We took him to a Saturday Clinic.  The on-call doctor believed he had strep throat or mono.  After a strep test releaved nothing, Davis was sent home with an unofficial diagnosis of mono. 

A fews days later, we took him to his regular pediatrician, who believed he also had mono.  The pediatrician told us he was fighting a virus and to let it run its course. He recommended a "watch and wait" for a week to see if the swollen lymph nodes would disappear.

A week later (near the end of May), we journeyed back to the pediatrician because the swollen lymph nodes were still there, and Davis was experiencing severe fatigue. The doctor agreed to run some tests.  Davis was tested for mono, TB, cat scratch fever, and CBC (blood panel).  Within a couple of days, all results were back and in normal limits.  He was negative for mono. 

Kyle called the doctor's office and expressed our uneasiness.  An appointment to see an ENT was scheduled for July 1st, and Davis was presecribed a round of steriods. The steriods seemed to be shrinking the swollen lymph nodes.  Davis continued with his normal activities:  baseball, swimming, playing outside . . . all things little boys do on their summer vacations. However, we noticed that Davis just seemed off.  He lacked energy; he had leg pains/growing pains, and he was never hungry. 

On June 24th, Davis woke up with a sore throat and a fever.  I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Amy Leifheit because Davis's doctor was unavailable.  After checking Davis over, she expresses concern.  However, never meeting Davis before, she recommended that we attend the ENT appointment on the 1st and go from there. She did a strep test and treated him with antibiotics.

On July 1st, we met with the ENT. After a brief conversation, it was decided that Davis would need a biopsy on the swollen lymph nodes. The biopsy appointment was scheduled for July 21, and the lab reports would be available one week later.

We were alarmed by the wait.  I asked Kyle to stop by the pediatrician's office.  After voicing my concerns with a nurse, Dr. Leifheit met with us, gave Davis a thorough evaluation, and ran some tests.  She again expressed serious concern.

She called us later that evening.  She informed us that Davis's blood levels were critical. She referred us to the hemotology/oncology department at St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Dr. Leifheit is an angel. She has been a pillar of support and help since she met Davis. We are forever grateful for her care and kindness.

And that is how we ended up here . . .