As I educate myself on what Giardia can do, it would appear thate is another culprit causing the blookd clot in the liver and the elevated LFT's. they're still looking.

Oh man, Cherie. I just saw this thread. Tell the Man Upstairs to keep his cotton picking hands off your daughter. We can bear anything as long as its not our kids' health. I'll pray for you and your daughter. Let us know...

She also has parvo-virus (common child-hood problem that generally does not need treating) and a whopping case of mono which is probably the culprit for the elevated liver enzymes. As far as the blood clot in the portal vein: they discovered that her "S" protein level is low. This is a genetic factor that predisposes to clotting disorders so her doc thinks we all need to be tested to see who is at risk.

Anyway, husband is home for the weekend so can help with childcare and laundry and meal prep. He works 12 hour shifts a half hour away as a firefighter and paramedic.

Oh...to top it off...she's 8 weeks pregnant so they have to be very cautious as to how they treat all of this.

This has an unexpected blessing attached. This girl, from the time she was a toddler , was fiercely independent. Now she is finally asking me for information and help. I was with her just before her water broke for the first child and sensed she was in early labor. She denied it. They lived 4 houses away. I found out the next morning that my first grandchild had been born several hours earlier and she was in labor when I saw her the evening before. They wanted to do birth as a couple with no one else involved but the doc and nurse.

For the past week, I've been getting at least a call or two a day to ask questions about meds or lab values or contagion or asking me to look up things on the net or care for my grandson (love that!). Pain sometimes has purpose and we are blest when we can see that purpose. I feel as if I am on the receiving end of some of that blessing.

Cherie, I don't have the right words for your daughter's problems. Our 3 year old grandson has ITP (very low platelets which can cause bleeding ) ITP is also an autoimmune disease. Our daughter is very independent and will barely listen to a word that I or any other medical person has to say. However Ben's illness for over the last 1 1/2 yrs has brought us closer. He's required treatment with IVIG twice in the past two months.

She now asks for advise and support at times. I've finally learned to not offer advise unless requested. I try to help as much as possible, however they live several hours away and that makes it harder. She also has 5 children ranging in ages from 8 - 3 months.

This is going to be a real test of your families strength. We will all be praying for a diagnosis and treatment that is acceptable for a newly pregnant mother.

Take care of yourself. Save all of your wonderful extra energy for your daughter and grandson. They will really need you as this diagnosis develops.

Many prayers and good wishes being sent to you and family. Betty