Sarah's Story
I had KD at age 5 (a few months before I turned 6) in the 1984 Colorado outbreak. I was one of the first and oldest patients in the outbreak, and was diagnosed on day 9. I ended up at University Hospital for almost 2 weeks. I was one of the patients in the intravenous gamma globulin study because there was no treatment available when I had KD. The IVIG treatment saved my life. I only have a couple memories of my experience. I had two IVs, one in each hand. My dad pushed me in a wheelchair so I could go outside for the first time since being diagnosed. My grandpa gave me a stuffed dog Spot who I still have to this day. I have two scars on my left forearm from when my arm was cut to see how fast my blood would clot. Other than that, it's a blur.
Misdiagnosis?
My treatment was intravenous gamma globulin and aspirin. I was officially cleared after an echocardiogram at age 7.
Current Conditions
I have what I call a "heart pinchy thing" because from time to time it feels like my heart is being squeezed and pinched. My echocardiograms all come back clear, but I still wonder if there could be any lifelong effects.