My son, when he was 11...I thought he had the measles. His MMR had been ineffective. He'd had the mumps after the shot, which is how we knew. I failed to revaccinate. So I thought the rash, the fever, eye pain, etc was measles. Then his little butt turned solid red from bleeding under the skin. I rushed him to the closest doctor. She insisted it was measles. I insisted it was not. She called the pediatrician. (an hour away). He knew me. Said if I was worried, then there was a serious problem, and for me to bring him in. I did. He turned the child's hands over. Then I saw it. The rash of rocky mountain spotted fever. Why hadn't I seen it? Got him to Vanderbilt per ambulance. (over 2 hrs away) The doctors were very kind, but not hopeful. He became grossly edematous. He became delirious and combative. Then he developed ARDS. They put him on a vent. He developed DIC. The doctors told me he would die, there was nothing else they could do. The students (it is a university hospital) stayed away out of respect. Only family was allowed in. I am white...they let my best friends in...they are black...the doctor pointed out to a questioning nurse that they were "obviously" family. I was grateful. A pastor came in to perform an annointing ceremony. All the family came in, even from overseas. And then...the boy made a response...a single solitary tear. Then I saw his finger touch the ventilator tubing. Another tear. I told him the tube was not forever, just until he got better. I promised we'd take it out then. The doctor was called. Slowly, as the day progressed, he improved. The doctor became hopeful. Every day he was better. The students started coming to see the child who had cheated death. 10 days later, he came home. It was the most amazing recovery I've ever seen. And I know it is so to me b/c it was my child. He completely recovered, is now grown and in the air force.
.png.1246e5be8d684efc6a7b2cd047f7b9e7.png)
