The first story submission from Kristin:
On June 26 at 1:00 p.m., our lives changed in the blink of an eye, literally. It was that sudden, which later would be the key to where we are now. That morning Judd woke up his usual self, pumped for his first baseball tournament. He played ball at 10:00. At the start of his 1:00 game he started a deep strange aggressive blinking. We assumed he had dirt in his eyes or allergies. We did eye drops for a few days but realized this wasn’t allergies. As the days went by the blink was accompanied by a facial grimace and sometimes this Joker-like smile. Basically, he looked like he had Tourette’s. He would blink/grimace about every 20 seconds all day long. My heart was broken. It was hard to watch my handsome little fella uncontrollably contort his face all day. He was living most of his life with his eyes shut because the blinking was so constant.
I am horrible at articulating myself when it comes to all things medical and usually end up frustrated and getting nowhere. I decided on July 1 to make him a well child check up (he hasn’t been to the doctor in two years) and discuss it then. I was hoping it would just go away. The first available was July 27, so I scheduled it. A few days later (Monday 7/5-Thursday 7/8) we went to KY and on the way there, we convinced ourselves that Judd had broken his nose and that was the reason for the tics. That Friday (7/9) Hal was supposed to attend a basketball camp but Thursday morning we found out the camp was canceled. Friday was now open, so I decided to call and try to make an appointment with our pediatrician. When I called, they had one appointment left at 9 a.m. Friday. I took it.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know All things work together for Your good…” This is where we rewind 14+ years and see God revealing his plan. 14+ years ago I was pregnant with Hallee. A month before her due date, for absolutely no reason, my water broke. I was unprepared, scared and a little embarrassed (because it happened at work in front of 700 kids). When we got to the hospital we were asked about a pediatrician for this premie I was about to have and I hadn’t established myself with anyone yet. I asked my sis in law who she used and she gave me the name of the practice and a doctor that she didn’t use, but had heard was good. Even though it was a 40 minute drive from home, I went with him. I never would have chosen an office that far away if I had another month to do my research. 14 years later, this moment would be what is probably going to save our son. Jeremiah 5:1 says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…” God knew Judd’s needs 6 years before his birth. I’ve always wondered why Hallee came early. Now, 14 years later, I clearly see why.
God closed the door for Hallee to attend the camp she really wanted to go to, but he opened the door for Judd. When the doctor asked the canned question, “What brings you in today?” no words were needed. There was no chance for me to say the wrong thing. He could tell by looking at Judd. The doc asked if I remembered when this started happening and I answered June 26 at 1:00. He said, “Wow. That sudden?…We need to do blood work.”
Judd has Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal (PANDAS). Due to an autoimmune issue, Judd’s own antibodies are attacking his brain causing it to be inflamed. This was triggered because he has strep that never presented itself and mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria in his system. Sadly, whatever “sudden change in behavior” a child has experienced due to this can be permanent.
Back to God. We are in a race against the clock. If I had waited another two weeks, we would have been much deeper into this mess. He opened doors for an earlier appointment and 14 years ago put us with a doctor who now went with his gut and ordered blood tests. So many kids are made to wait because to truly diagnose Tourette’s (which is what this looked like) you have to have symptoms present for 6 months. The months of waiting then makes the brain damage irreversible. Judd is on two medicines for 20 days and then we see what happens once he goes off the meds. We have seen a tremendous improvement in his tics, mood, and energy (looking back he had a few other signs of PANDAS). The tics are still present, but nothing like they were. Because we got to the root of the problem quickly, our pediatrician is hopeful Judd will completely come out of this.
We haven’t shared this with many people and typically we don’t share personal stuff/opinions on FB. However, the more I live through this and research, the more I go back Romans 8:28. Maybe sharing this will work towards the good of saving a child from the many unbelievable issues PANDAS brings on. If you see a SUDDEN CHANGE in your child, go to your pediatrician and advocate. Some doctors dismiss PANDAS completely. I am telling you it is absolutely real and a nightmare we are living.
Finally, the request. Please pray that the antibiotics work for Judd. Pray for healing for his brain. Pray that his body learns to fight in the correct ways. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing your story, Kristin! I hope you guys get the help and healing needed. Keep us posted!
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