Keegan is back in the hospital. Things were going well, he had gained all his weight back, plus more, he was very happy, trying new foods and doing really well on his medicines.

Last Thursday, Keegan had his first Remicade treatment. Before treatment they advised us if he showed any signs of an infection to let them know immediately. We really didn't expect any side-effects, they are unusual for the first treatment and usually don't appear until the 2nd or 3rd if they do at all. Yesterday morning Keegan showed me a couple spots on his abdomen that looked like bug bites. I didn't think much of them so washed the sheets on his bed figuring they were bedbugs or something of that nature. Then this morning I took a look and they had multiplied and spread to his scalp. I immediately figured they were Chicken Pox and took him to the doctor to get it confirmed. After all he had been immunized against Chicken Pox.

The doctor confirmed and wrote a prescription for Acyclovare (spelling) tablets, but we also called the Specialist at CHO to verify this was the right course of action on a child with a now supressed immune system. At first they said that was fine, to keep a close eye on it that it doesn't get worse, and that they would confirm with the Infectious Disease Dept. to make sure.

About an hour later I got a call that he needed to come to the hospital immediately. Chicken Pox in someone with a suppressed immune system, if not treated effectively could progress into Shingles and that could lead to permanent nerve damage. They felt it was best to have him treated in the hospital so they could manage the treatment better and make sure it doesn't progress.

So far he doesn't itch, and they are mainly on his abdomen and scalp. Over the next couple days they should peak and then start to subside, hopefully we can be back home Sunday evening.