(Jameson O’Connor)
After four years without a diagnosis or answers, a Batavia family is searching for help for their son Jameson, who has been in and out of doctor’s offices and hospitals since he was born.
Jameson, 4, cannot lead a normal life due to his inability to have a bowel movement without the help of laxatives and enemas. He cannot push out stool and must wear disposable training pants.
“We now have been dealing with this so long, we just give enemas to relieve his pain,” says his mother, Trina O’Connor.
Jameson suffers from anxiety and behavioral issues He cannot attend school due to the problem.
“He spent the majority of his first year of life getting medical tests done and every few months getting x-rays, but the outcome is always the same, never any improvement. It’s like everyone is just guessing about what is going on, so it’s always like we are in this by ourselves.”
(Vaeda, Trina, Mark and Jameson O’Connor)
Trina and Mark O’Connor are raising funds to make a trip to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio at the end of February 2018. He will see Dr. Levitt who is known around the world for his expertise in helping children with bowel issues. He is a colorectal surgeon. Getting to see Dr. Levitt will give Jameson a chance for answers and a better quality of life says Trina.
“He could only tell me he needs to be irrigated with a catheter, but I have never been taught how to do them,”
Dr. Levitt was unable to give any further medical advice until Jameson can be examined.
He will be tested for Hirschsprung’s disease, which is a condition of the large intestine(colon) that causes difficulty in passing stool. Jameson will also undergo an Anorectal manometry test which will test his ability to actually have a bowel movement. He will also be checked for any bowel abnormalities with his colon and participate in a bowel management program that will determine whether or not surgical intervention will be necessary.
The O’Connors have started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the visit to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio.
https://www.gofundme.com/get-jameson-to-nationwide-hospital
The O’Connors hope to get some answers and have raised $3,085 so far, they need to raise $4,200 to reach their goal to pay for expenses.
Trina says she has worked with children in daycare settings and has had a lot of experience with children and Jameson’s issues have never set right with her.
“I felt like it was me against the world and I have had to advocate so hard for my child and many times I feel defeated, but I am his voice, he cannot help himself.”