The doctors either have a hard time communicating to me or I am just not understanding the words that come out of their mouth. They say he has Hives one day the next it's HSP and so on. So, today he has HSP. I have copied below a web page about HSP. Thankfully, Collin seems on the road to recovery. He still has the rash but the joint pain has subsided, which was horrible. His kidneys don't seem to be affected. Really, it's a waiting game. I am not sure, why are all the problems with Collin and Cameron so strange. They don't see too many of these cases and are completely odd.
What is HSP?Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP or anaphylactoid purpura) is a form of blood vessel inflammation or vasculitis. There are many different conditions that feature vasculitis. Each of the forms of vasculitis tends to involve certain characteristic blood vessels. HSP affects the small arterial vessels called capillaries in the skin and frequently the kidneys. HSP results in skin rash (most prominent over the buttocks and behind the lower extremities associated with joint inflammation (arthritis) and sometimes cramping pain in the abdomen.
What causes HSP?HSP occurs most often in the spring and frequently follows an infection of the throat or breathing passages. HSP seems to represent an unusual reaction of the body's immune system that is in response to this infection (either bacteria or virus). Aside from infection, drugs can also trigger the condition. HSP occurs most commonly in children, but persons of all age groups can be affected.
What are symptoms of HSP?Classically, HSP causes skin rash, pain in the abdomen, and joint inflammation (arthritis). Not all features need be present for the diagnosis. The rash of skin lesions appears in gravity-dependent areas, such as the legs. The joints most frequently affected with pain and swelling are the ankles and the knees. Patients with HSP can develop fever. Inflammation of the blood vessels in the kidneys can cause blood and/or protein in the urine. Serious kidney complications are infrequent, but can occur. Sometimes a biopsy of skin and/or kidney is used in assisting the diagnosis, which is typically made based on the clinical findings.
Symptoms usually last approximately a month. Recurrences are not frequent, but do occur.
What is the treatment for HSP?While HSP is generally a mild illness that resolves spontaneously, it can cause serious problems in the kidneys and bowels. The rash can be very prominent, especially on the lower extremities.
The treatment of HSP is directed toward the most significant area of involvement. Joint pain can be relieved by antiinflammatory medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Motrin). Some patients can require cortisone medications, such as prednisone, especially those with significant abdominal pain or kidney disease. With more severe kidney disease, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) has been used to suppress the immune system. Infection, if present, can require antibiotics.
What are the consequences of HSP?The prognosis for patients with HSP is generally excellent. Nearly all patients have no long-term problems. The kidney is the most serious organ involved when it is affected. Rarely, patients can have serious long-term kidney damage or an abnormal bowel folding called intussusception. A few patients have recurrences of symptoms for a couple of years after the onset of the illness.
Recent data shows that HSP in adults is generally more severe than in children. Adults have more severe kidney involvement and can require more aggressive treatment. The ultimate outcome, however, is usually very good for both adults and children.
As I sit here at 2:20 am typing with one hand because I am feeding the baby. I srtuggle with my statement "I am going to try to be more positive" because it's always something. Collin woke up crying 10 minutes ago with what I am guessing is hives. Who needs doctors anymore, just ask me!
It started with me on New Years with Bronchitis/flu. NASTY! When mommy is sick she does not have the luxury of sleeping. Next was Collin, yet another trip to see the Doc. Next was Connor, who by the way 2 weeks before this flu had a full day of vomiting. Tony was next and seems to have the worst lingering congestion out of all of us. Yet, to add to it all Cameron got the flu. When a four month old gets the flu they send them to ER. 5 hours later we left the ER only to go home and struggle to make the baby comfortable while getting over the flu. In the back of my mind the entire time I am wondering what's wrong with Cameron's arm. I hope all this "illness" leaves this house. Stay home and be healthy if you can help it. There seems to be some extra bugs out there.
Cameron just loves his brothers & they love him right back. Since he hit the 3 month mark the boys have enjoyed all the funny sounds he makes. Collin belly laughs so hard when Cameron does something new. I just had to share these pics because they really captured a moment.
Cameron is now 3 months old and reaching all his milestones and then some. He grabs for things and rolls over from tummy to back. He smiles all the time and spits up more. He loves his swing and blowing bubbles. In pictures his eyes are very blue. He is up every 2 hours in the night so we need to work on that one. What a wonderful little baby.
Collin just had his 4th Birthday and it was a blast. Collin loves Birthday cards and party supplies. I think the "production" of a party thrills him....sorta like his mommy. He loves preschool and gravitates towards the ladies. He still talks about a little girl by the name of Lola he met while on a playdate with his buddies. He want's "everything" for Christmas. How do I do that????
Cooie just keeps getting bigger everyday. He is using sentences now and you can actually understand them. I look at Collin and Connor and wish them small again. After that thought I remind myself they are still 4 and 2. I guess it just amazes me how fast it goes by. 
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