My baby sister, brianna got sick about a month ago and she is only 2. It started with a fever, sore throat and normal cold/flu symptoms. My mom eventually took her to the hospital because her temp. was 106. (it was or a couple days) the nurse and doctor couldnt get a catheter in her, so they sent them home with antibiotics. well she got better for bout 2 days, then her temp went back up to 106. my mom and step dad knew it was something worse. they took brianna to another hospital. they discovered she had an ear infection. she was yet again prescribed antibiotics for that. well it was the same routine, she got worse a couple days later. her temp. went back up to 106. my mom then took her to her doctor, and they said she had an pnemonia(spelling??) and they took some blood. well the doctor called my mom the next day and told her to immediatly get brianna to childrens hospital and admitted. from there they said she was missing one of her three white blood cells, and her count was 0. it should have been in the thousands!! she stayed a mandatory 2 days, and they did more tests. The FINALLY discovered she doesnt have an immune system. if she gets sick it can kill her. (i dont remember the name of the disease) Im worried sick about her, she is like my own baby. Im 18, and shes 2. She is now home at our moms, and the doctors are doing more bllod tests. well the doctor called today and told my mom that she is worse, and that she should treat everyday as her birthday!! Has anyone dealt with this issue?? I really dont know what I can do to help, but now they want to take a bone marrow sample. Any advice would really help, even words of encouragement. Brianna is the baby of the family, and is already a miracle. My parents have kids from 21 all the way to 2. (i have never seen my step dad cry before, but thats his pride and joy!!!):confused:

I'm so sorry your family is having to deal with this. How hard it must be.

We had a close call with our youngest when she was 2 months old and we almost lost her so I do know somewhat what you are feeling but not completely.

A big thing you older kids could do would be to just help out with housework, chores and errands. I would imagine that those things would just be a horrid chore right now for your parents and would be a real boost for them. One less thing to worry about.

The other thing is just to spend time with your sister. Read her stories, play with her and love her. Those are things you'll never regret no matter what happens.

I'm so sorry that your family is going through this right now. There is nothing worse in life for a parent than to have a seriously ill child. My little guy was born almost 4 months early, and we didn't know if would live. Thankfully he is 2 years old now and doing fine. I also know what it is like to be a much older big sister. My sister and I are only 10 years apart, but I have always felt more like a parent-figure than just a sister.

PinkPiglet is right about helping out. The last thing your Mom and step-Dad want to deal with is housework. If you older kids can cook and clean and run errands, it will really help out. And enjoy every day you have with Brianna.

I will say a prayer for you and your family...:angel:

The other thing is that my older sister lives at home. She is 20, and her bf and her pay rent for my old room. So they help out with a lot of that. Im scheduled to leave saturday, im moving with my aunt in MO. That makes it harder for me. But i really appreciate everything from both of you, and im glad things turned out ok!!