Henoch-Schönlein purpura

**warning**

This is a 'blurnnal' entry as to document a current event, with pictures.

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Henoch-Schönlein purpura is in our house again. Can you pronounce it?

Here you go...say "hen-awk shern-line purr-purr-ah".

You can read more about it HERE. Don't worry, it is NOT contagious!

Brayden started showing a few spots last Tuesday on the way home from our Utah trip. It looked like a light rash. Wednesday we knew what it was, only because Morley had the same thing at exactly the same time last year. He was feeling fine, no fever or discomfort...just a few polka dots. He did a cough, goopy eyes and a runny nose...but it was totally unrelated. That was just do to a lot of late nights, playing outside and being on vacation!

Wednesday and Thursday I had him take it easy so we could just get rid of his cold, but the spots were multiplying. I wasn't worried since we knew what it was. He was feeling much better by Thursday evening but Friday morning he woke up with a bad tummy ache. Brayden ate a tiny breakfast that morning...and then the eating boycott began. He had nausea and vomiting, even without eating and he was in a lot of tummy pain. He just laid on the couch and slept and watched movies for 3 days. The spots started to fade on Sunday and after church the missionaries helped Matt give him a wonder blessing. While on the couch Sunday evening, Brayden leaned over to me and said, 'Mom, I know Heavenly Father will help me feel better'. What a great example of faith!!

We decided that if he didn't start eating Monday morning we would take him to the doctor. After 3 days of no food (only Pedialyte) he had 1 egg and 1/2 piece of toast for breakfast. The spots were nearly gone and he was feeling much better! He ate little amounts during the day and even changed his clothes and played outside for a bit.

This morning he woke up and was totally back to his normal, Brayden self. Smiley and silly. HUGE breakfast, snack, good lunch, snack, snack, snack, dinner, snack. During the day, however, the spots returned in full force. We think it is because he is on his feet and the blood is circulating correctly. His tummy ache is gone but he is now more polka-dotted than ever. His joints are a little stiff and swollen but he is hanging in there.

We'll see how he is tomorrow and possibly take him in to the Dr., just to rule out any other issues that can be caused by this. As the 'research' states, it can last from 4-6 weeks and it most common in 5 year olds. I have hardly accomplished anything the last 4 days, but that is okay. My first job is to be a good mommy, and my sick little boy needed me.

Here are some pictures. All of the spots are under the skin, so it is not a bumpy rash at all.

****WEDNESDAY UPDATE****

He woke up this morning with an increase in spots. By afternoon they were all the way up his legs, on his arms and his bum. He is really stiff and 'sore' but they don't 'hurt', at least that is what Brayden is telling me. Maybe a visit to the Dr. tomorrow. Morley's were not nearly as bad, I am a little nervous now. I'll keep you posted.