diagnosis

By the time he was 10 years old, Xisto had earned a Black Belt in taekwando. He was traveling to, and winning, competitions.

Yet he was tired enough to fall asleep at unusual times.  Then the petechiae developed, all over his feet and hips.  Multiple doctors assumed this was a rash, and since he didn’t show signs of illness, he continued with his busy life.

“You must go to Children’s Hospital now.”

Ninth grader Patrick McLaughlin was surprised, but followed his mom’s lead, who calmly drove to the Emergency Department while disguising her fear and confusion.

Earlier that week, while Ellie was on a business trip, her elder son, Liam, called. “Mom, Paddy’s still sleeping after early dismissal.”  It was 8:30pm. At that moment, she knew that she needed to take him to the doctor.  She flew home as soon as she could, picked Patrick up at track and field workout, and dashed to the pediatrician’s office.