A Rare Diagnosis Journey: Collagenous Gastritis and IGG deficiency (250)- Alexis' Story
Release Date: 04/16/2025
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info_outlineWhat if every milestone your child was supposed to reach came with countless curve balls? For Alexis Kaplan, motherhood quickly turned into a journey of advocacy, strength, and unwavering love as she navigated her daughter Gabby’s complex and rare health conditions.
In this moving episode, Alexis shares:
✅ The moment her newborn was rushed to the NICU with a collapsed lung
✅ How her daughter’s recurring infections led to a diagnosis of immunodeficiency and collagenous gastritis
✅ The emotional toll—and strength—of being the medical historian and advocate for a medically complex child
✅ How weekly infusions, therapy, and figure skating are helping her daughter thrive
✅ Her advice for parents facing rare, chronic, or undiagnosed conditions
This is a must-listen for anyone caring for a child with complex medical needs, healthcare providers who want to better understand the family perspective, and parents looking for inspiration and connection.
Timestamps & Key Topics
⏱️ [00:00] – Meet Alexis Kaplan
Mother of two, former PR pro, and fierce advocate for her daughter Gabby
⏱️ [03:00] – From a Healthy Start to a Medical Emergency
Gabby is born with a spontaneous pneumothorax and was immediately taken to the NICU
⏱️ [08:00] – Life After NICU
The strange silence in the hospital room and the emotional weight of an unexpected start
⏱️ [10:00] – Feeding Struggles and Early Signs Something Was Wrong
Eczema, weight loss, food intolerance—and a mother’s instinct in full force
⏱️ [14:00] – The Fevers Begin
Raging fevers, unrelenting illness, and a trip to the ER that revealed double pneumonia and RSV
⏱️ [19:00] – ENT Visits, Hearing Loss, and the Power of Child Life
From audiology tests to the first Barbie from a Child Life Specialist—how support changed their hospital experience
⏱️ [22:00] – Asthma, Immunology & The First “Red Flag”
Gabby’s pulmonologist recommends deeper testing, leading to a pivotal moment in her diagnosis journey
⏱️ [24:00] – Periodic Fever Syndrome & Tonsillectomy
A working diagnosis leads to aggressive treatment—but symptoms persist
⏱️ [26:00] – Gastroenterology, Scopes & the Search for Answers
A rare diagnosis: collagenous gastritis—so rare, the doctor had never seen it before
⏱️ [29:00] – The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Immunoglobulin deficiency is confirmed, leading to weekly subcutaneous infusions at home
⏱️ [31:00] – A Grey’s Anatomy Ritual & Finding Control
Gabby takes charge of her infusions, watches Grey’s Anatomy, and finds a routine in the chaos
⏱️ [32:00] – Advocating for the Right Medication
Alexis does her own research and fights for biologic treatment to manage Gabby’s symptoms
⏱️ [34:00] – Reflecting on Strength, Resilience & Motherhood
The mental toll of advocating, comforting, and never giving up—and watching her daughter skate through it all
⏱️ [36:00] – TikTok Tips & Empowerment in the Hospital Line
Gabby empowers other kids at the clinic with simple strategies to get through shots and IVs
⏱️ [37:00] – Final Reflections: Curveballs, Advocacy & Support
How Facebook groups, therapy, and the power of asking questions help Alexis keep going
Resources & Links
📌 Follow Gabby’s Skating Journey: @gkapskates on Instagram
📌 Follow Alexis' New Blog: @keep_throwing_curveballs
📲 Learn About the SupportSpot App: SupportSpot on the App Store
Share Your Thoughts!
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📩 Contact: Connect with host Katie Taylor and the team behind SupportSpot.
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