Kate Kate Update

Hello Friends and family!

As we have endeavored to keep you informed on our journey with our wee one, I wanted to send you an update from our visit to Seattle Children's Hospital.

We went for an initial meeting and heard the same thing regarding Kate's Raynaud's (it is somewhat concerning that she has it at 6, but not an immediate worry as there are no other symptoms and she does not have the typical ulcers which cause issues in and of themselves).  Dr. Nanda suggested some avenues of treatment, contingent upon blood work.  Overall, nothing new from her in information regarding Kate's Raynaud's.

She ordered an array of blood work, a C/T scan of her lungs, a PFT and a test called an esophagram; most of these tests happening this past Wednesday.  The results of the C/T, PFT and esophagram were prefect and normal.  Kate was even able to do breathing tests (PFT) that nine-year-olds have difficulty completing.  The blood work would be the most telling and important results.

If you remember, the blood work from the Dr. here revealed elevated ANA levels (anti-nuclear antibodies, a sign of potential auto-immune disease) and a high marker for SCL-70.  The latter being a pre-cursor to Scleroderma, a frightful and potentially fatal disease.  This meant that she does not have but will probably get Scleroderma, according to this doctor's interpretation.

The blood work from this appointment was much more thorough with a more precise metering method.  The results of this test still included elevated ANA levels, but everything else was normal.  What this means is that we still need to watch Kate (follow up appt. in April) as there is still a VERY GOOD CHANCE for an auto-immune disease in her future based on the ANA levels but there is no immediate concern or probability for Scleroderma.

We still covet your prayers and are very thankful for all that you have done in supporting us.  We are also still sticking to our strict no-preservative, no refined sugars or flours lifestyle (I called it a "diet" once... once) because it still has potential for preventing any disease as well as it simply makes us healthier.

Again, I wanted to update you on what is happening with our Kate Kate and thank you for your support and prayers.

Matt