Erythema Multiforme Minor

1/12/08
We have decided to just wait it out a couple of days and if on Monday or Tuesday, Catharine's not doing well, then we will take her to UNC.

1/12/08
This morning Catharine's lip was swollen and she is wheezing and coughing (most of the red spots had gone away). She had an appointment at 8:10. The doctor found that her bottom was covered in the red spots (those were all new) and said that it definitely was Erythema multiforme (multiforme means it can show in many forms). She said that it can take all the way up to weeks to get rid of it and that she will be fine, there is nothing they can do. Dr. Capps did not feel that the wheezing and coughing had anything to do with the Erythema. She thinks it is a cold coming or something like that.

I'm very unsatisfied with this and will watch her closely over the next two days. If on Monday we feel it is necessary, we will take her to UNC.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We always appreciate your thoughts :)

1/11/08

Dear Friends,

If you are getting tired of these emails, I don't blame you. Please help me to figure out this puzzle.

Tuesday-Catharine received her Synagis shot (for preemies to protect from RSV in the winter months)

Wednesday-Nothing

Thursday-Woke up with red flat spots all over legs (you saw the pictures), treated with benadryl, no change. No fever, seemed to not bother Catharine at all.

Friday-Woke up with the red flat spots in new places (from face to feet) and had swollen feet and hands. She didn't seem bothered at all by any of it. I took her to the doctor and they said they didn't think it was hives after all but instead, Erythema Multiforme Minor (the extreme version of this is called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome). Yeah, I've never heard of it, but don't look it up because it is really scary stuff.

Here is the thing. Her spots do not really look like a typical case of Erythema and it is VERY rare in kids under the age of 3. Also, it is contractible from ingesting a medicine that contains penicillin or sulfur (which she hasn't), or exposure to herpes simplex virus. (It says this is NOT contagious).

SO. I don't think she has Erythema after all. I know I'm not a doctor, but it just doesn't add up to me? Her spots are clearing up, but her hands and feet are still very swollen.

They prescribed a steroid, but I don't want to give it to her unnecessarily.
What do you think????

We have been to the doctor EVERY day this week and will go again tomorrow for Catharine to be rechecked. Sigh.

Thank you for any insight you can offer.


1/10/08

This morning, Catharine woke up with hives. The doctor said it is an allergic reaction to something she was exposed to in the past day or so. The ONLY thing different she ingested was two or three spaghetti noodles that had tomato sauce on them. Other than that we have no idea what could have caused this. We haven't changed any cleaners or detergents, nothing. This is the first time she has ever had hives. (it was a little scary this morning when I found them)!

If you have any ideas as to what this could be from, please share your thoughts! Until we figure it out, I will avoid giving her anything with eggs or tomatoes. Funny though, she had eggs twice in the past week and had no reaction?

Just a quick update...Catharine's one year extensive physical at UNC is scheduled for January 24th. She will be seen by the same people who helped to save her life :) We are very excited to put this physical behind us and to rule out any problems for our health clearance to go to Africa in October. We appreciate your prayers in this area! We'll let you know how it goes!

For those of you reading this who we would lOVE to see while we are at UNC on the 24th, please let me know if you will be working that day so we can meet up with you to say "hello!"