This is a picture* of our new-found friend.
We found out yesterday evening that Caitlin has Giardia (or Giardiasis Lamblia for those of you med people that need longer names for things). For those of you that don't know, Giardia (pronounced GEE-ar-dee-uh) is a parasite that is usually picked up by drinking untreated water in foreign countries, or drinking untreated mountain water while camping. It causes severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, among all the other symptoms Caitlin has been dealing with for almost 4 weeks now.
The doctors say that we may never know where she picked it up from. There haven't been other cases reported in Kirksville, so we don't have anything to go off of. I read online (and everything online is truth, right?) that before you start showing symptoms, you can have had the parasite for 1-4 weeks. So that could take us back 8 weeks, and I have no idea where she would have gotten it from.
They have started her on the treatment medication, and she will be on that for 5 days. Once the medication is done, and her diarrhea clears up, then we will be 'in-the-clear', and ready for normal life again. Although I wouldn't wish this on anyone OR their children, it was such a relief to finally find out what she has. They tested her for this very last, because they didn't think there was any way it would be Giardia, having not gone camping or been out of the country. (If you ask me...with her sypmtoms they should have tested her for this over 2 weeks ago...but that's just coming from a Mom who's exhausted in every part of my being from this whole thing.)
I'm so grateful that it wasn't anything more complicated that would have required further medical procedures and such. Caitlin lasts until about 4 or 5 with her full energy. Then she crashes and wants to lay around for the next hour or so. She is still pale, and has lost some weight, but we are glad to have her on-the-mend, and eating well.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped us through this the past week. It was so rough living away from family and having a child in the hospital, but we are blessed with friends and neighbors who helped us through in so many ways. Hopefully this is the last you'll see about Caitlin's illness! I'm ready to get back to posts about soccer, tumbling, and having fun!
(*About the 'picture' of the Giardia parasite, it doesn't REALLY have eyes that can see. It just looks like it has 2 big eyes under a microscope. And this is obviously a drawing of what the parasite looks like. Just wanted to clear that up! ;o)
P.S. If anyone knows why it messes up the paragraph spacing when I insert a picture in here....PLEASE let me know! It drives me crazy!
4 comments:
I'm so glad you can now move forward! I hope sweet little Caitlin feels better. When she is better let her come play with "Lizzabey!" Love you guys!
how scary. glad to hear your ordeal is nearly over. if you need anything, let us know!!
Glad to have an answer... and some normal days ahead.
saysha, I'm so sorry Caitlin's been dealing with this. I've been following up on what's been going on. I'm glad you know what it is now, and more especially that it's not something she will have the rest of her life like some kind of a disease. Take care!
Post a Comment