Kawasaki Disease

That’s what we went through with Isaiah.

Kawasaki Disease is a strange, to say the least, phenomenon. There is no real understood cause, but it is somewhat prevalent (one of the doctors at our hospital said there are atleast 2 cases per month that come their way).

For some background on the Kawasaki Disease check out the definition here.

Isaiah started feeling bad late last Sunday and had all of the following symptoms after that first night of throwing up multiple times:

• High-grade fever (greater than 39 °C or 102 °F; often as high as 40 °C or 104 °F) that normally lasts for more than 5 days if left untreated.
• Red eyes (conjunctivitis) without pus or drainage, also known as “conjunctival injection”
• Bright red, chapped, or cracked lips
• Red mucous membranes in the mouth
• Strawberry tongue, white coating on the tongue or prominent red bumps (papillae) on the back of the tongue
• Red palms of the hands and the soles of the feet
• Rash which may take many forms, but not vesicular (blister-like), on the trunk
• Swollen lymph nodes (frequently only one lymph node is swollen), particularly in the neck area
• Joint pain (arthralgia) and swelling, frequently symmetrical
• Irritability
• Tachycardia (rapid heart beat)
• Peeling (desquamation) palms and soles (later in the illness); peeling may begin around the nails
• Beau’s lines (transverse grooves on nails)

We ended up taking him to the doctor Monday morning to see what was going on and immediately our pediatrician diagnosed Isaiah with Kawasaki’s. After a series of blood work, which was traumatic in itself for our little guy, he was immediately admitted to the hospital and thus began the Week From Hell.

The primary treatment for Kawasaki’s is an immunoglobulin IV drip for 12 hours and a echocardiogram to check for swelling of the of the arteries pushing blood to and from the heart.

We spent a few nights in the hospital watching and monitoring his status. Isaiah did have an unfortunate relapse of a fever that caused everyone, especially him, a great deal of stress.

After close observation, and a successful extended treatment. We were finally given a clean bill of health and allowed to bring Isaiah home early Saturday afternoon. As I write this post, I am happy to say that we spent the majority of the day Saturday playing, eating, and laughing. He’s back to his normal self of swinging Star Wars Light Sabers and watching Ben-10 cartoons.

Jen and I want to personally say thank you to everyone who has sent a word of encouragement, a quick prayer, a thoughtful text message, or who stopped by the hospital to sit for a moment. I, as many of you know, am a pretty private and sentimental person and didn’t speak too much outside of our immediate circle, but I must say that my new Online Extended Family has won a special place in my heart….thank you !

The nurses and doctors that worked with us were fantastic as well, and we owe them, and you our friends and family, our deepest gratitude.