Educate Before You Medicate - SJS

I am a sweet and funny 3 year old with a big personality, that has had a rather normal life up until now. This all started when I woke up one morning with swelling in my lips and face. I saw quite a few doctors and was diagnosed with various things over a three day span, one diagnosis being chicken pox! I was finally admitted to the hospital where it has was determined that I have Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. This is a very rare and serious disorder in which the skin reacts severely to a medication or illness. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is so rare that in the United States, there are only about 300 new diagnoses per year! It was determined that amoxicillin or children's ibuprofen caused my case, and since there is no way to know for certain which one, I will NEVER have either! I was covered head to toe in a blister-like rash that itched severely! I had blisters and sores in my lips and mouth which eventually scabbed and I couldn't eat or drink for days! I was on multiple IVs and had a tube to feed me. It was a very traumatic experience for me and my family! Most doctors said it was the worst they had seen in their entire career, especially for a 2 year old!
As daddy says "I'm a little bada** and a fighter" so I plan on kicking this minor set back in the butt and making a full recovery, but not before racking up quite a large amount in medical bills!
I was treated at Levine Children's Hospital for nearly two weeks and I am now home recovering! My mommy is staying home with me since I'm not supposed to be out in public places because it increases my chances of getting a secondary infection! That means she's not at work making money!
The money donated will be used to help pay for medical bills, co-pays for up coming doctor visits, medicines to keep me healing, and allow my mommy to stay home with me!



We appreciate any donation in any amount! As they say "every little bit helps"!


We also have another site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jolieswartzlander
This was created to help keep friends and family updated on her progress. It goes over our journey in much more detail from the very beginning! Please feel free to share our story with friends!