Mystery Diagnosis -- Brooke Rohrer

Discovery Health’s popular show MYSTERY DIAGNOSIS will spotlight an Oregon native this August. As part of the continuation of the series’ seventh season, Julie and Todd Rohrer from Portland will share their daughter Brooke’s riveting story with audiences across the nation. Premiering on Monday, August 17 at 10 PM ET/PT, Brooke’s story will take viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions as the Rohrer’s endure misdiagnoses and dismissals before ever finding a solution.

Brooke was born a happy and healthy baby girl in 2004. During the early years, she was considered energetic, sassy and excitable—but in the spring of 2007, Brooke began to complain about pain in her right hip and began walking strangely, like a much older person. Concerned, the Rohrers take Brooke to several different pediatricians, but none of the doctors can find anything wrong with her and believe she is simply experiencing “growing pains.” Despite the lack of additional symptoms, signs or irritations, Brooke’s intense pain persisted.

Ultimately, an MRI reveals that part of Brooke’s vertebrae had disintegrated—and after a biopsy is conducted, she is diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), a rare blood disorder caused by an abnormality in a histiocyte, a type of white blood cell. With LCH patients, histiocytes become overactive and destroy the bodies own healthy tissues and organs. Unfortunately, the cause of LCH—which is found in 3 to 5 per million children—is unknown at this time.

Through chemotherapy, doctors were able to eliminate the disease, and Brooke has been given an 80% chance of survival. Because it is possible for LCH to return, she is being re-evaluated every three months. Today, Brooke is thriving, living the life of a normal little girl without any physical restrictions. She is taking swimming lessons and is as energetic as ever.