O update!

Well, I always postpone an O update because I feel like all I really do is wait for answers, but I have had several good friends asking about him (and reminding me that I don't update my blogspot) so I'll inform you of what I know so far.

I was very persistent with trying to find a cause for all of Owens ear infections and hearing loss, and also the constant runny nose and yucky eyes. I thought for sure that he had some sort of allergy but all the tests came back negative. Still feeling that there had to be something more to all this, his allergist did some blood work to check his immune system. Dr. Coleman told me it would be very rare for it to come back abnormal, and as you know......Owen likes to be in the less then 1% category on all random things so of course, it comes back abnormal.

Apparently everyone has 5 Immunoglobulins. Two of his are very low.
His immunoglobulin M (aka IgM), which is your bodies first form of defense and largest antibody, is so low its undetectable.
His Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is also very low, and those are the antibodies that are found in the nose, breathing passages, digestive tract, ears and eyes.

Obviously this is not a good combination. There are apparently only 3 things that can cause a low IgM. They are multiple myeloma, leukemia, and auto-immune diseases.

We gave him a vaccine to see if we could build back up his antibodies and we are going to have bloodwork done on June 9th to see if that happened, and also test him for cancer proteins to make sure it isn't some type of cancer.

Since I have some sort of autoimmune issue going on, we are all assuming that is what it is. If that is the case, he will have to go to Duke to see an Immunologist to try to figure out what is going on. The good news is that he has probably had this for a while and he hasn't caught anything serious yet. We are just trying to be very precautious and keep his hands washed and away from the sickly.

In all of this, I know the Lord is leading us to an answer for Owen and hopefully it isn't anything too serious. I do ask that you continue to pray for little O while we wait on answers. I am doing my best to be patient and not to worry until I have a reason to, but those of you who know me, know that is very difficult.

I will update once the blood work comes back. Thanks in advance for your prayers.