Update.....

Well it's been an interesting few weeks here. As we prepare for our move I thought it would be prudent to take the kids to the doctor for a check-up and to update all of their vaccines. In theory I was trying to avoid doctor visits within the first few months of our arrival. However it looks like just the opposite is bound to occur. (BEWARE - if reading about bowel movements bothers you, do not continue) The day before Lilith's 12 month Baby Wellness Visit she started having spells of vomiting. Since she didn't have a fever I didn't worry too much. During her visit the doctor noted that she had not gained any weight between her 9 and 12 month appointments. He decided it would be a good idea to draw some blood to make sure everything was okay. Sadly her blood results came back with several abnormalities including a slightly high BUN level, slightly low platelet count (133), slightly low Lymphocytes, and a very high level of Alkaline Phosphatase (2753). This enzyme is created by various tissues in the body, but is most often associated with the bones and liver. Elevated levels can indicate anything from a benign condition called Transient Hyperphosphatasemia to cancer, so we weren't sure what to expect. Lilith continued to show signs of a viral infection and after three days of periodic vomiting the doctor referred us to St. Louis Children's Hospital. They ran a series of tests including another blood test and some Xrays. Again her Alkaline Phosphatase was elevated well above normal, but most of her other labs came back normal. The only thing that was of concern was that her blood platelets were dangerously low (2). The ER doctors suggested that the results might have been a product of a flawed blood draw, so they suggested a third blood test. By Saturday of last week, Lilith has stopped vomiting. One Monday she started having some bowel trouble including passing some very pale colored stools (which can be a sign of liver issues) - which continue today (Saturday June 9th). Her third blood test was taken on Thursday, and thankfully her blood platelets returned to normal, and most of the other test came back normal - however things time her blood calcium level is now slightly elevated (10.8). The Doctor is waiting on two more test results.(Vitamin D and an Isoenzyme test which will tell us which part of the body is creating the additional Alkaline Phosphatase.) The doctor seems pretty comfortable diagnosing Lilith with Transient Hyperphosphatasemia, but me - the eternally worried mother - can't help but wonder if there is something going on. Perhaps it is just a medical coincidence - perhaps the stomach bug altered her blood test results.....perhaps her newly acquired skill of crawling and pulling up brought her weight down.....maybe her gut hasn't recovered from the stomach bug and that is the reason for her bowel issues. There are so many "maybe's". Though I am sad to leave St. Louis, I've never been more thankful to be moving to Boston. It has the top rated Children's Hospital in the nation. I know she will have excellent care there!