henoch schonlein purpura

 I am way behind on our blog and have so much to update.  About a month and a half ago, Bria was developing this strange, little rash on her legs that I thought were just little bug bites.  She seemed to be getting more and more and she was complaining about her legs hurting.  She sometimes just didn't even want to walk at all.  We just thought that maybe the pain was just growing pains.  Those little dots, in just one day, turned into big, purple bruises.

It was a late Saturday night and when we got done watching a movie together, I looked at her legs and had a feeling I needed to take her in to the doctor.  We got there at 9:30 and waited until 10:00.  I was starting to wish we didn't make this trip, but then when the nurse told me what she had, I was very grateful.  Bria was diagnosed with a rare disease called henoch schonlein purpura.  It is caused by an abnormal response of the immune system.  There is some internal bleeding, which was causing the bruising, and also abdominal pain and pain in the legs.  It can also effect the kidneys.  Luckily, Bria's hadn't escalated too badly.  I was grateful to hear that it would just go away on it's own and it wasn't something to get too worried over.  We just have to take her into the doctor every week so they can monitor her and make sure it doesn't effect her kidneys.

For about a week after that visit to the doctor, Bria was taking IBU profen on a regular basis.  The pain in her legs was so bad that sometimes I had to carry her.  It was so hard to watch her in pain and know that all I could do was give her pain medicine.  Bria is one tough, little cookie though!  She was so good to not complain and was so upbeat and positive.  I am so proud of her and am so grateful that she is recovering so well.  I love her so much.