Monday, May 4, 2020
May the fourth be with you! If you’re not a Star Wars fan, you may not recognize that reference, but I am, so I wish it to you. So much more fun to say it to someone in person--you get that little eye roll or smile of recognition. Or else the blank look and then you get to explain it--also fun.The good news is that Ethan is out of the hospital and back home. He’s eating (a little) and not vomiting very much, but the pain in his hips is pretty bad. The humidity of the rain/thunder storm is not helping! More good news, he has a virtual doctor’s meeting tomorrow at 11:15 with the gastroenterologist so that he can be scheduled for a scope. I don’t think I’ve been so excited for a surgical procedure! They will take a biopsy of his intestines and finally be able to diagnose his stomach problems, then (hopefully) give him some medication to start him on the road to recovery. Sooner the better. When we get that nailed down, we can finally get his hips replaced so that he can walk around like a normal 19 year old.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects all kinds of people, but usually older adults (past 40). It’s pretty rare in teenagers but does happen. According to Mayo Clinic, at least 40% of people who have rheumatoid arthritis experience symptoms that are NOT in their joints and this is the type that Ethan has. It’s attacked his bones and may be the cause of his skin infections. Basically, it’s an autoimmune disease, which means that his body is attacking itself (Rheumatoid Arthritis).There are medications for it (as well as for the Crohn’s or IBS), but he’s got to get the stomach issues dealt with first. I just hate to see him suffering and it’s so hard to wait! At least now, with some of the stay-at-home strictures lifted, we can make some progress.
On the COVID-19 front, the first case in Brown County was announced yesterday. Obviously, nothing was revealed about the person who has it, but they are going to try to back-trace that person and see who else they came into contact with. If that person went to Wal-Mart recently (or anywhere else the public is gathering) we’re all in trouble! As of today, Johns Hopkins University (previously quoted) 3,552,985 confirmed cases world-wide with 249,079 deaths. In the US, 7,123,222 people have been tested (again, just a fraction of the number of people in the US) which is good news. So far Wyandotte and Johnson counties in KS have the highest number of cases and deaths. I wish my parents didn’t live in Wyandotte county, but they’ve been staying home for the most part.
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