Putting out Scarlett's FIRES

On July 13, 2018, our previously healthy daughter, Scarlett, began having seizures. Before long she was in status epilepticus in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's National Medical Center with a breathing tube. She was diagnosed with and treated for a viral encephalitis (infection in the brain), but soon her symptoms returned leaving doctors puzzled. She was then diagnosed with an autoimmune encephalitis, meaning her body was attacking her own brain, but since doctors still could not identify a cause, her diagnosis became FIRES- Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome. She has received multiple treatments including plasmapheresis to clean antibodies from her blood, IVIG every 3 to 4 weeks, and Anakinra injections twice a day.  She is also still on many anti epileptic and anti spasmodic drugs. She is currently making strides in her recovery, however will require an extended stay at the National Center for Children's Rehabilitation.  Many people have been inquiring about donations. Please only donate if you are truly able to. We appreciate everyone's love, support, continued prayers, and positive thoughts throughout this long journey! Scarlett is as sassy and determined as ever and her goal is to get home, jump on her trampoline, and get back to school and gymnastics with her siblings and friends!  Stay strong Scarlett, you're doing amazing! ❤