I wanted to clear some things up about Peyton.  Like who she is to me, what she has and why she has to go through the things she does.  First off, I am Chris’s sister(Peyton’s father). Peyton is my niece and Godchild.  I love her as if she was my own child, and I would lay my life on the line, if it meant saving hers. I have made it my mission to find the cure for this disease.   Peyton has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is the leading genetic killer in infants under the age of two.  Now, if you have been on this site before you probable know what SMA is.  However, since this blog is posted on several other sites, I will give you a quick run down on what SMA is.  SMA affects the nerves that control muscle movement.  Peyton is four years old and cannot hold her own head up; she can make very small movement of her legs, but not bear any weight on them.  She will never walk.  She has very limited movement in her arms, and can’t hold anything much heavier than a pencil.  She can’t swallow, so as an affect now has to get her nutrients through a feeding tube in her stomach. She also can’t cough. She can’t sit up for long peroids of time, because she can choke on her secretions.  So, as a result she spends most of her time lying on her back or side.   It is taken for granted how many things we use our muscles for.  But when you see a child lose the basic functions over time, you become painfully aware.  She still has her smile (which is sometimes lost) because that also requires muscles.  Her ability to speak is greatly affected, because that also takes muscles.  Even though she seems like she a lot to say.   

Her mind is not affected.  She is a very smart little girl with lots to say, but it is limited because of her disease.   She is trapped in her own body.  Everyday we go through so many emotions about SMA.  Some days were are overcome with the heavy burden of sadness, sometimes it’s confusion, some days it’s guilt, today I am just pissed!!!!!!!!

When a healthy child gets a cold, the protocol would be some tissue, snuggle time and chicken soup to nurse them back to health.  For a SMA child, a cold means fighting for life or death. Because they can’t cough, and have extra secretions on a normal day, they are at a much higher risk.  The sick care protocol for a SMA child means extra suctioning from their nose and mouth.  When I say mouth, it’s not like going to the dentist when they suction you. No, this is down your throat into your windpipe…I can’t even imagine.  It means extra time on the cough assist machine, which pushes air quickly into the lungs and then pulls it out.  It means having to wear a bi pap mask 24 hours a day, just to be able to breath.  Now, all of these things happen on a “normal” day for SMA.  However, when they are sick…. it means a lot more of it.  Everyday an SMA child fights for life, so when they get a cold it literally could mean life or death.  We are not exactly sure what Peyton has right now, they have tested her for RSV and pneumonia, but the fact still remains, it could just be a cold. 

Another question that has been asked is why does she go all the way to Madison American Family Children’s hospital. SMA is such a rare disorder, and most children die before they turn two years old.  We are soooooo incredibly grateful that Peyton will be turning four in April.  We give a lot of the credit to Dr. Schroth, from AFCH.  She is the best Dr. in this area to treat SMA children, and the hospital staff is incredible knowledgeable with the treatment’s that are necessary for them.  Put it this way, today Peyton was taken to a hospital that was closer to her house. She was so unstable; it wasn’t worth the risk for her to be transported by car.   The Children’s hospital in Madison has an outstanding ambulance service C. H.E.T.A. that is set up to transport children like Peyton.  If you would like more information about C.H.E.T.A., please visit this link, http://www.uwhealth.org/pediatric-sedation/emergency-response-teams-cheta/10773   however, they are 45 minutes away.  So, Peyton was taken to a nearby hospital in order for her to get stable.  I was stunned by the fact the Peyton’s parents were the ones that were doing the suctioning, coughing and taking care of her, while three Doctors stood behind them doing NOTHING.  Why, don’t they do anything?  Simple, they aren’t trained how to care for a SMA patient.  Peyton’s parents are obviously stressed, scared and emotionally drained by just the fact of their child being in the hospital, but then they are also the ones that are responsible for keeping her alive once she is there??  It is mind boggling to me….

Things change so fast…. people say that all the time.  It really is true though!  Today was just a normal day, business as usual.  Then I received a frantic call from Peyton’s dad saying she was being rushed to the hospital.  I had just seen Peyton two days before that, and she was great!  However, last night around 4am, her alarms on her machines started going off.  Her heart rate was all over the place, and her O2 was low.  Over the morning Peyton’s mom and the nurses accessed the situation and decided that she should be taken in. It was rough when they first went in, but now Peyton is stable.  She made it through the transport well, thanks to C.H.E.T.A.  Why can’t she go in a regular ambulance?  Because they are not equip with all the machines that Peyton needs to survive.  The C.H.E.T.A service is, and we are so grateful for that.  Her heart rate is up, she has a temp of 101, and her O2 is in the mid 90’s on 8 liters.   She is going to have a rough night ahead of her, but she is in the best possible place now.   We will see what the next days bring.  Thank you for A.) Keeping Peyton in your thoughts and Prayers and B.) For letting me rant a little

Sometimes when I take a step back and take it all in…it takes my breath away.  That is why we must all fight and this is why I fight to save her.
Tina