Various Health Fears

[MrLurcher]

So it was an observation about her liver enlargement and didn't mean immediate blood tests and concern from the docs? Can't your partner ask the doctors about this rather than you both panicking when the situation hasn't been elaborated on?

She was having repeat bloods today anyway, but on the ward round, the doc did her ob's and just said her liver is still enlarged. I did ask my partner why didn't she ask if this was to be expected or not, but she doesn't tend to ask questions (either down to shyness, or just wants to remain naive to the situation). Frustrating for me because I'm at home and can't do anything. I did ask if I can ring the ward and ask the docs/nurses questions myself, but my partner told me not to.

The docs said on Friday not be over concerned about the jaundice because that can take time to clear, so that was useful information. I just wish my partner was more balshy and pushed the doctors and nurses more. When I went in Friday I had a list of stuff to ask.

[pulisa]

I'm sure you did.

Let the blood tests do the talking? Jaundice does take a while to resolve but the vitamin K supplements will definitely help. Please try not to panic? It's a waiting game which is the anxiety-inducing bit but you have to try to focus on facts and not speculation and the facts will be in the latest blood test results.

[Scass]

You could always leave a message asking for a doctor to call you?
It must just be a waiting game.


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[MyNameIsTerry]

But they aren't seeing a reason for readmission which is good news and you can see results. It's great news. You must all be glad to have her home.

I would have thought enlargement takes time to reduce once the root cause is removed. And the liver is a very strong organ than can bounce back from a lot of punishment.

One consideration is they aren't saying it's significant. Sometimes a lack of certainty points away from something serious that would stick out.

Get spoiling your little girl! Don't forget the other one though

[MrLurcher]

I'm sure you did.

Let the blood tests do the talking? Jaundice does take a while to resolve but the vitamin K supplements will definitely help. Please try not to panic? It's a waiting game which is the anxiety-inducing bit but you have to try to focus on facts and not speculation and the facts will be in the latest blood test results.

Well, you're right again.

My daughters' repeat blood tests showed improvement again, however her liver and spleen are still a little bit inflamed.

She will be having repeat bloods again on Thursday, as well as another scan to check her liver and spleen. If all is still going in the right direction, then we will be continuing with blood tests to monitor until they hopefully come back to normal.

However if her liver and spleen still haven't decreased in size (or as much as they'd like), then she will be referred to the liver specialists in Birmingham Childrens Hospital as an outpatient. So that's making me a bit anxious, and also Birmingham is a 3.5 hour drive away from us!

We're still waiting to hear back from some viral blood tests to see what's caused this, but Hep B and C have been ruled out which is good. But I'm still worried what if she has something chronic or incurable :-(

And don't worry Terry, she has been most certainly spoilt :-) For every blood test she had we gave her a small toy or treat, and we've just had an Amazon Fire Kids (I think thats what they're called) for both the girls.

[pulisa]

Could there be any possible link with covid?

I'm pleased that the bloods are improving. One step at a time re the potential Birmingham referral? If it comes to this though the thing to remember is that what to a local hospital is a real mystery can often be completely routine and all in a day's work for the specialist paediatricians at a dedicated children's hospital. I've spent a lot of time at Great Ormond Street with my son. The paediatricians at these hospitals are absolute experts in their field. Yes the travelling there is a pain but it's well worth it and the environment and atmosphere is so different from a general hospital.

[MrLurcher]

Could there be any possible link with covid?

I'm pleased that the bloods are improving. One step at a time re the potential Birmingham referral? If it comes to this though the thing to remember is that what to a local hospital is a real mystery can often be completely routine and all in a day's work for the specialist paediatricians at a dedicated children's hospital. I've spent a lot of time at Great Ormond Street with my son. The paediatricians at these hospitals are absolute experts in their field. Yes the travelling there is a pain but it's well worth it and the environment and atmosphere is so different from a general hospital.

Covid is something I have thought about. She was tested when admitted last week, however we didn't hear back about the result (I presume negative). I'm not sure if she was tested for antibodies either, probably another question to ask the docs. However covid has been rife in their school recently, with over 30 children off at one time in the eldests' year. My mum read a story about a boy who developed liver and kidney issues after covid, so anything's possible.

Our local hospital have been acting purely on the guidance of Birmingham. They've been sending all the bloods and scans up there each time, and waiting for their advice. Obviously all that has taken longer than if we were actually up there, but I am so grateful that the expertise has been available.

I personally think that she may have picked something from the animal world. We have dogs, chickens, and also a horse up on a friends farm. She is very handsy with the dogs - kissing them on the face etc, something we keep telling her off for doing. I have also spotted a rat around our garden and bird feeder, and I did read that Weil's disease can affect the liver and spleen. My partner is the animal lover, so if has indeed come from an animal, then she needs to make some serious decisions on the keeping of the animals.

Sorry that you've had to spend a lot of time with your son at GOS, you must be a pretty tough cookie to cope with all the stress that comes with that. I know you mentioned last year that your son was going through a possible IBD diagnosis, hope all's going ok with that.

[Makeetelich92]

One thing I try to do is.. to not be afraid of when anxiety comes up. I try not to run away from it, but instead, just sit with it and feel it. I ask myself, what is this feeling that I'm so scared of feeling? What does it actually feel like? Doing this can significantly reduce anxiety because you're not being inundated with the fear of anxiety in addition to the anxiety itself.

[Catkins]

Glad things are sounding so positive.

[MrLurcher]

Spoke too f***ing soon. I knew I shouldn't have got so positive about things, tempted bloody fate.

She hasn't eaten much today overall, fussed over eating lunch, barely ate dinner. Didn't want any fruits or puddings. She was looking exhausted at dinner time like she was before she fell ill. She had been making good progress over the last few days, and today just feels like last week when she fell ill.

Feeling really concerned again. Maybe she has got something seriously wrong or chronic.