New Possible Diagnosis

Well, to the doctor's we go! Today we visited with Dr. Janet Harnsberger again. As frustrating as this has all been, I must say that I really like Dr. Harnsberger. Our family has a long history with her (since Kelsey was 2 years old) and she is fantastic. Today we started over again and went through Jake's history from top-to-bottom (no pun intended). She put my mind to ease about the brain scans. Apparently there were multiple neurosurgeons who reviewed the MRI at Primary Children's and one of those docs is VERY good in his field and she said she would trust that opinion, of any of the opinions. So, I will gladly, finally put that to rest!We decided we've x-rayed and scanned every part of Jake's body except his ankle. Since he isn't vomiting due to his ankle, we're starting over (at least with our thinking). As I said before, Primary Children's threw out a diagnosis of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, which this is not presenting typically for that diagnosis. I haven't been sold on that, though it is a possibility.

Dr. Harnsberger thinks Jake may have Gastroparesis, which reduces the stomach's ability to empty its contents. Basically, we don't want to do additional scanning at this time due to his recent multiple exposures to radiation. The only other testing to do for this diagnosis includes scanning, isotopes, etc. All the other testing needed has been done. We are going to start Jake on Reglan, a medication to help the motility of his stomach. There are some serious and frightening possible side-effects, so we are "starting low and going slow."

Side note....we sent Jake to school this morning for half a day, hoping to help him get in some "normal" before the doctor's appointment. By 9:21am he was sent home for vomiting twice. I got to stop by the school later in the day and talk to Jake's teacher. Mr. Drummond has been awesome and is helping us. We are considering applying for the school district to provide a tutor twice weekly until Jake can get back to school. We'll decide that for sure tomorrow once we mull over it and say some prayers.

Basically, the proof will be in the pudding. In other words, we are hoping to stop the pukes once and for all!! We are officially at 68 pukes in 14 days. Jake is ready for this to be a bad memory. It is at least a new hopeful direction and the possibility of an end. Even though gastroparesis can last a lifetime, some cases can do better after a year or so of treatment and kind of fix themselves. We will keep our prayers focused on that and HOPE, HOPE, HOPE we have found a solution.