2nd Major Hospitalization...
When Rowan was discharged from the hospital after her liver transplant, things were perfect... for 6 months. We were in Houston for a monthly check up and Ro actually had her first fever. She was admitted and eventually diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. Her hemoglobin at its lowest was 3.5. After several weeks in the PICU, there wasn't too much progress... We had tried high dose steroids, IVIG, and finally Rituximab. The Rituximab is a drug often used for certain types of cancer. It kills the immune system and whatever was causing her body to attack itself. Finally, she responded. After 2 months in the hospital, we finally got to go home. Due to the Rituximab and steroids along with her Prograf, Rowan was left extremely immune suppressed. We have been very careful to keep her away from any sickness (church, daycare, busy restaurants...) She received monthly IVIG treatments to replace her immune system until hers "woke up". And now another 6 months later, it appears everything is finally back on the right track again.
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I truly feel for what Rowan has had to go through. She is amazing and God is doing amazing work through her. I met her at the Pumpkin patch this past October, and I was blessed by her story. I too have an immune system failure at age 8, and I take prednisone for that, along with kidney failure, diabetes insipidus, no growth hormone, but God continues to bless me as well. I pray for Rowan and her family daily. She is an inspiration! Praise God for Rowan and her story. Wayne R. FUMC Temple.
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