MEDFORD, Ore. -- A Medford family's world has been turned upside down by a rare and aggressive disorder.
Rosena and Cody Clement became desperate for answers in early April when their daughter, Camellia, started having stomach pains.
"We were told it was a UTI, a bladder infection, a kidney infection," Rosena said.
For the next week and a half Rosena said Camellia woke up every half hour from pain, vomited up everything she tried to eat, and eventually stopped eating. The family said she even began vomiting fecal matter.
After a trip to the emergency room and seven hours of tests, doctors guessed she was suffering from constipation.
When doctors undressed her to put her in a gown the next day, they noticed a rash going from her feet to her back. It was after many more doctor visits that the family received their first diagnosis - Henoch-Schonlein purpura, also known as HSP. That diagnoses was later changed to HSP Nephritis when Camellia had to be life-flighted to Doernbecher's Pediatric Hospital in Portland.
Rosena said the little girl will have a long road to recovery.
"She's had a biopsy, she's had tons of tests, she's on very high-dose steroids, this is something that will most likely affect her for the rest of her life," Rosena said.
A family friend recently started a GoFundMe page for the family. They say the disorder means many extra costs.
"Her medications alone are $300 and up a month, which was not a bill that we were prepared for," Rosena said.
Between those bills, ER visits, trips to Portland, an ongoing care, the two are feeling the financial burden on their shoulders.
Currently Camellia is going through weekly steroid infusions and going back and forth between local hospitals and Doernbecher's.
Looking back to when it all began, the family can't help but feel frustrated doctors couldn't give them an answer sooner. They hope their story serves as an example to other parents to go with their gut.
"Listen to what your kids are telling you, if they're in pain, listen. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion, especially when you know in your core that there's something wrong with your child," Rosena said.
If you would like to donate to the Clement family you can find their GoFundMe page by clicking here.
