Unusual

I am a nerd when it comes to information. I love to learn and to have facts and figures. As I have been Googling, as I have now allowed myself to do, I have found very little in the way of non –medical jargon on AIH, that's what all the cool kids call auto immune hepatitis.
So to you dear reader, if you stumble upon this blog at some point because you or someone you love has AIH….please feel free to read along and ask questions! You will find I am a bit of an open book in life. Like embarrassing to family members open book.

So here is what I know. In two months since the boy was released from the hospital he is feeling much better. He still gets tuckered out fast, do people say tuckered out when talking about teenagers? Anywho, his spirits are high. Well as high as any 17 year old boy. ;) Others might not see it....but i do. :)

I think being the introverted solitary soul that he is has helped him, he is content to read a book alone with his music and text a friend. He doesn't need to be in the middle of the crowd and be the center of attention …..he abhors it. So being "weird" has its benefits. I have always told my boy....let your freak flag fly! Be who you are and proud of it.

This last week has done amazing things for both of us on the emotional side of life. Having an answer and knowing he is healing is such a weight lifting off your shoulders thing. There is a lot to be said for that balance of mind, body and spirit in life. I pray that this Mega sized life speed bump will be one that goes down in the books as a life learning or changing experience. For us both. I have told the boy that he is doing the world a disservice if he doesn't share his story when he is older. So much we can learn from each other!

AIH is a rare thing, affecting very few people in the good ole US of A. It does seem to like the girls more... but it doesn't discriminate, obviously. Usually it is found when routine blood work comes back a little wonky. The not so usual way… is like my boy. Complete multiple organ meltdown. Thankful to God that we caught the worst case early enough to keep him around.

Usually it takes months of testing to get a diagnosis and move forward with treatment, when they find it the usual way. OR… they throw everything but the kitchen sink at you in short order when the severity requires. Like with my boy.

So thankful for doctors who wouldn't give up, who didn't have egos and attitudes, who were comfortable in shrugging and saying we just don’t know but we will.