A Diagnosis

Just got back from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin, where we spent last night. The pediatric cardiologist there asked to see him right away ("you mean right now? Today? You know that's five hours away from here and we won't be there until after work hours?"). She stayed late for us, which was awfully nice of her. And then spent another two and a half hours checking him out. LUCKILY.... no endocarditis. WHEW. What a relief. Rob was still out of town, so I packed up all three kids, and caravaned with Al and LaVerne to Wisconsin for the evening. The cardiologist sent us to an infectious disease specialist this morning, who concluded that the reason the past SIX doctors couldn't find the source of this alleged infection is that there wasn't any to be found. His words... Quinn's body is fighting "evil spirits". It's thinking that there's an infection to fight when there's not. He diagnosed Still's disease, which is a form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Quinn doesn't have joint pain or stiffness, though, so... I don't know. We're hoping this is an isolated event, and that our two week course of anti-inflammatories will be enough to knock the fevers out once and for all. It's at least reassuring that none of the big scary things that were lurking in the back of our minds (cancer, heart, or kidney infection in his lone kidney) turned out to be the source of the past two weeks worth of fevers. Last night's fever topped 102, but today he is fever free and currently riding his scooter with his brother, so.... things are looking up.

Exhausting few days. Now it's time to shift gears, realize that it's Holy Week, and start preparing for Easter!!!