On Tuesday, we recieved a call from the University of Indiana, which tested Evan's blood for genetic abnormalities. Dr. Flockhart explained to us that Evan's liver was lacking the proper enzymes that would normally allow him to "break down" chemicals in the body. Evan was given cough medicine the night he died, therefore contributing to his death. This is genetic. The testing also revealed another genetic mutation that they were not able to identify. DNA has two components. One component was perfect and the other showed severe genetic mutations. Further testing is going to be done to determine what the other mutations are. Only one has been confirmed. Nathan and I are going to Indiana next Friday to be tested to determine what side these mutations come from. My biggest fear now is that Noah may have the same condition.
Right now I am still trying to process all of this information. I feel hugely responsible and guilty for giving him the medicine. I am really still so numb and very much overwhelmed. Everyone can say that giving medicine is what every mother does, but that is easy to say when it is not your child that died.
On another note, there has been much debate over the use of cough and cold medicines for children. What they don't tell you is the statistics of death among children, mine now being one of them.
Scar
3 years ago
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1 comment:
Daven -
I am so incredibly sorry for you and your family. I can't even begin to imagine the grief you are going through. I pray for you often. Your comment about giving your children cough medicine - I do understand what you mean by saying not every mother's child dies from it. You know in your heart what a good Mother you were - just look at the smile on your little boy's face. While I know I can't say anything to make you feel better, make things easier - please know that I'm thinking of you and although we haven't seen or talked to one another in a long time - I'm always here for you.
Love,
Shawna
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