Initial Symptoms

November 14, 2014
After leaving a dinner party at a friend's house, our 5 year-old son, Jayden, complained to us that his legs hurt.  We didn't think anything of it as he was running around and jumping off chairs with the rest of the kids that night.  He went home and slept through the night.
November 15, 2014
Jayden woke up complaining of extreme leg pain.  He walked like his muscles were sore as if he ran too much or lifted too many weights at the gym.  We told him to walk around and loosen them up and he would feel better.  He took some Tylenol and then went to the waterpark with Daddy.  Although he was a little slower than usual, he walked and went down all the slides without difficulty.  He even went to a movie that night and did not have any problems.
November 16, 2014
When Jayden woke up, he could hardly get out of bed.  He was crying and limping when we finally assisted him to get up and get dressed.  Lifting him caused him pain.  Touching the backs of his knees and arm pits caused him pain.  He seemed to get better throughout the day and limped around the house.  He didn't play like he normally did, appetite was decreased and he said he was tired a lot.
November 17, 2014
Jayden woke up every hour during the night and could barely walk.  Thinking he was sore from playing so much over the weekend, we got him ready and off to pre-school. The stiffness and pain seemed intermittent as he could still walk and sit comfortably in a chair.  The teachers emailed us that Jayden wasn't himself and was complaining that his stomach hurt.  We picked him up early and brought him home.  He slept a lot, didn't eat much and did not want to do anything.
November 18, 2014
He went to school again and seemed a little better than the previous day.  At home, he slept the entire night and refused meals.  He did not want to eat his favorite foods or anything.
November 19, 2014
Jayden got progressively weaker and moaned/cried in pain all day and night.  Tylenol and Ibuprofen were not helping so we decided to bring him to the doctor the following day.
November 20, 2014
Jayden sees his pediatrician.  Labs (CBC) come back normal and although ataxic, Jayden can painfully "walk" 5-6 steps unassisted.  His balance is off and he starts having pain when sitting or lying on his back.  He is diagnosed with "growing pains" and we are sent home to manage on our own.  As a nurse myself, I ask why he has no reflexes and I am told he is in too much pain so they can't appreciate them.  I am the "paranoid nurse mom" and Jayden is a "bit dramatic" about his growing pains.
November 21, 2014
While working day shift, I get calls from my husband who is at home dressing, feeding and carrying our 5 year-old like he does our 1 year-old.  We know something is wrong.  I tell him I will bring him to the ER when I get home.