Unfortunately...

As many of you know, this is my personal journal/log of all the JRA-related events that have occurred with Mia. Yes, I blog about the good things, but, for my own record, I also blog about topics that may not be suitable for those readers who have weak stomachs. So, this is your warning. If you are that type of person (like my husband...heh heh!), then don't read this entry. :)

Yesterday morning, Mia had some blood in her stool. So, I paged the rheumatologist. He has been wondering if she's had G.I. bleeding all along. Her hematocrit level is still low, and this has caused him to wonder "Why the sudden drop when she was doing so great up until now?!?" So, he told me to take her over to her pediatrician's office to have them examine her to rule out if it is a tear (anal fissure) or not. If there isn't a tear, then he wants her to be seen by a G.I. specialist, in which they will probably have to sedate her and take a look inside. Great.

At the ped's office, the doctor (not Mia's regular ped...he was off that day) examined her and said there is a "suspicious area" that was very small, not irritated and the same color as the rest of the surrounding skin. She said it was hard to tell and advised us to wait a day to see if there was more blood. She thinks it would be best if we made the appointment to see the specialist to rule out any G.I. bleeding. This wouldn't hurt, but at the same time I don't want to put her through any unnecessary procedures if we don't have to. :o\

So, we are waiting for the next time she has to go to the bathroom to check to see if there is more blood. And then we will go from there. If it is internal bleeding then we will most likely have to take her off of the naproxen...which is a whole other issue for a whole other blog.

Moving on...

New OT: Ugh...not so sure about this one. She isn't actually an OT either...she is another PT. We already have a PT who Mia loves. We need an OT. Not to mention this new woman doesn't seem to interact with Mia...at all! So, I've voiced my complaint...stay tuned.

Eye Exam: It's that time again. This Friday Mia goes back in to the eye doctor to have them check for uveitis. We are believing for another good report! :)

Current meds/supplements:

• Naproxen (7.5 mls; twice a day)
• Zantac (2 mls; twice a day)
• Ferros Sulfate Elixir (1/2 tsp.; three times a day)
• Cod Liver Oil: (1 tsp.; once a day)

PT got moved to Wednesday this week because Mia has/had laryngitis over the weekend so I had to cancel her appointment on Monday. They wanted to put her on amoxicylin for the laryngitis, but I am waiting this one out. She is on enough meds right now as it is. Why add one more to the mix if we don't need to? Her immune system is already at a weakened state - why make things worse?

So, that's this week in a nutshell. Will update everyone soon on the blood issues.