I have been reminded this week that we don't know what tomorrow holds! BUT that our sovereign and loving God does.
On Sunday morning as I was getting the kids breakfast before church, I noticed that Will had a rash on one arm - tiny little purple-red pinpricks. Getting him into PJ's for his nap, I noticed more, and also several bruises that were in odd places. I had no doubt that something was really wrong, and spent most of the afternoon and evening in tears, praying that God would help me think on that which was true and real instead of what I could not know! By bedtime Will had more bruises and a blood blister on his lip, and by Monday morning things were worse. That's not saying that my little guy seemed sick...he was acting completely himself, praise God! We had a Dr's. appointment by 9:15, were told that whatever the cause of his bruising it was probably significant, had bloodwork and a chest X-ray, and were sent home to wait. By mid-afternoon we got the results and were sent immediately to the hospital - William's platelets were too low for the lab to measure, somewhere under 10,000 (normal is 150,000-300,000).
We all went to the hospital only to find out that NO one under 18 could be in the room with Will. Praise God that He had moved in the heart of our sweet friend Elaine and she was there at the hospital, waiting to see how she could help! I was able to stay with Will and just head to the family gathering room a couple of times to feed Jack and say hi to Eleanor.
Will was diagnosed with pediatric ITP - Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, which means that his immune system is destroying platelets much , much faster than his body can produce them. This puts him at risk for dangerous bleeding from something like falling and bumping his head, from a nosebleed, etc. During his 2 night hospital stay he was given 2 treatments called IVIG, which by the time we left had boosted his platelet count up to 54,000, more than enough to safely come home! We have to be careful of activities where he could sustain a hard bump to his head, etc. It could get a little tricky with our boy who is built on springs!
On Tuesday we met with a pediatric hematologist who explained the blood disorder to us more thoroughly. It is the result of either a virus or a vaccine, and in most children it corrects itself in time - usually a few weeks to a few months. The treatments Will received will not help his body stop destroying platelets, but will definitely make life safer for him until the disease remits! In about 20% of kids ITP does not just go away, but becomes a bigger problem, but still treatable. The specialist was very positive in the sense that Will's other blood cell lines look great, meaning no cancer, etc.
We have a follow-up appointment tomorrow to check his platelet levels again and discuss the next month or so. Will will probably be having some bloodwork done once or twice a week to track the disease, to know if he needs more treatment or restricted activity (I am thinking a helmet and a padded room?!?!) and to know if/when his body corrects this problem.
I was not able to stay overnight in the hospital because of breastfeeding Jack, but I was there as much as I could be! Todd and Will had a bonding experience - "kind of like camp" says Todd. *grin* I have the greatest husband and kids have the best Daddy! Will was quite the trooper and never acted sick. He got tired of being repeatedly poked by needles and hooked up to IV's, but he was a brave little boy! One of the blood draws I was there for broke my heart as I watched him laying there, chin quivering, trying not to cry. "Hurt, Mommy" he kept saying as he saw the needles and blue rubber bands coming out. I was NOT as brave as he was!
He was so excited to come home! You'll see him in the picture with his backpack on, looking for Mommy and Eleanor and Jack to pick he and Daddy up! Eleanor really missed him. She was fine during the day, playing with friends, but in bed at night cried and missed her brother. The first night it was late when we got home and I told her we were going right to bed, no bath or book, and she said, "But we can talk and laugh, right? OH NO! Will isn't here, that's not fun!"
We had a great few hours here together before he developed a fever and started throwing up. Another call to the doc, and back to urgent care, where they said it was most likely a bug he picked up at the hospital. *sigh* God graciously allowed him to sleep well and today he does not appear sick. And the rest of us are okay, too!
I am weary in just about every way, but very hopeful! I am so thankful for the prayers of the saints, for our loving families, and for our church family who have met our needs very practically by caring for Eleanor and Jack, even bringing the baby to me to nurse him, by visiting at the hospital, by preparing meals, by grocery shopping for me, by taking care of the dog, and by numerous offers to help. It has been so encouraging!
I will update as we know more. Please keep praying for sweet Will! (who thankfully, doesn't know he's got a problem)!
Will endured another "poke" today at his follow-up appointment, and this afternoon we received the fantastic news that his platelet count is 177,000 - completely normal!! Praise God!
