My Son, My Hero
Tougher than most...
Thursday, December 13, 2007 by messiah1 | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Once we got to Lutheran they took more blood and we found out that ITP is a bleeding disorder caused when your body's defense system mounts an attack and destroys healthy blood platelets thinking they are disease-causing agents. Well, your platelets maintain the integrity of the blood vessels and basically keep you from bleeding to death when you get an injury. A normal platelet count is 150,000 to 400, 000. Anything less than 10,000 is considered an emergency. His count at Huntington was 10,000. By the time we got to Lutheran it was 7,000.
He was admitted into the children's hospital and given an IVIG, which is an infusion of healthy plasma that lasted about six hours. Besides taking his blood four times (a lot of it I might add) and having to put in an IV five times (he pulled out two in his sleep, two veins blew, and they had to put the final IV in his foot which meant he could not get out of bed for about 24 hours); one of the side affects of the IVIG is nausea. So he spent most of the day Friday puking everything he ate or drank back up so they ended up hooking him up to fluids. By Friday night his platelet count was up to 30,000 and by Saturday morning 85,000. They let us come home then. Now....we wait....and see if his body is going to maintain a normal platelet count. He has to go in once a week for a blood test.
During this whole ordeal Ethan was so brave and seldom cried and never had to be held down while everyone poked and prodded him over and over. It was so heartbreaking for us to see him go thru that but we were so proud of him for being so brave. We were told he may never have an episode again or he may have to deal with this his whole life. We'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime he has to take it easy. No craziness. Like jumping around on the furniture or from one bed to the next or basically anything a rambunctious three year old boy loves to do because of the chance of injury, especially a head injury. If you have a three year old boy you know that is easier said than done.
Why post here...I need to vent. It's frustrating for me to have to see my child go through that. All the while they were sticking needles in him, to see him look over at me with his pleading eyes seeming to say "Daddy, they're hurting me." And I couldn't do anything because I know that they are helping him...
He's a trooper. He's my hero.
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Reply #162 Friday, February 22, 2008 11:03 AM
I'm sure I'm mirroring many things already mentioned here, but wanted to extend my most heart felt prayers for your son and your entire family. No child should be sick. Blessings to you all.
Ed
Reply #163 Friday, February 22, 2008 12:01 PM
) ... i feel for you, be strong!
Reply #164 Friday, February 22, 2008 1:10 PM
I want to thank everyone here for your continued support, not only in the forum but in personal messages sent as well. This truly is a great place and it feels like family/home. Don't know what I'd do without it. THANK YOU!
Reply #165 Friday, February 22, 2008 1:38 PM
Reply #166 Friday, February 22, 2008 8:07 PM
Reply #167 Friday, February 22, 2008 8:19 PM
being brave
Reply #168 Saturday, November 1, 2008 2:43 PM
Well, after almost a year I wanted to let all the folks that posted here with their kind words an update on Ethan. This past (almost) year has been pretty trying on my wife and I and the family in general. When Ethans count was really low, he had terrible mood swings and there was never anything we could really do about them. We just had to weather the storm so to speak. His count would get better and we'd think, maybe..., but then we'd notice him bruising up real easy again and his count would bottom out. There were some really scary times where the count was dangerously low that if he got a cut or something, without immediate medical attention, he could bleed to death.
There were so many times during the bad episodes that I found myself wishing I could have my old Ethan back. I just wanted my buddy, the fun loving little fella who never yelled at me or said terrible things to me. Mind you, these episodes usually only occured when the count was low.
I'm pleased to announce that the last two visits, with 2 months in between each, have found Ethans count to be up above 200,000! All on his own. He hasn't had an IVIG treatment since early April. This last time the count had even climbed 10,000 above the previous check. He's been acting much better, no drastic mood swings and playing like he used to. I'm so happy and thankful that my Best Good Friend is his old self again. You've no idea.
So, to everyone who had Ethan and us in their thoughts, THANK YOU! I love this place and the people here. 
Reply #169 Saturday, November 1, 2008 2:54 PM
You and yours are in our prayers. Ethan looks like a strong lad. Kids are resilient, with God on your side, he will be fine! We will keep praying.
Reply #170 Saturday, November 1, 2008 3:00 PM
Aw shit that's wonderful news Steve!
You did good dawg!
Reply #172 Saturday, November 1, 2008 4:04 PM
That is just awesome news! So glad for you and yourn!
Reply #173 Saturday, November 1, 2008 4:26 PM
This Doc just LOVES good news....thanks m1 for the update. I'm so happy for you and the family!
DrJ
Reply #174 Saturday, November 1, 2008 4:28 PM
That is really great new messiah1, but you know what, I think I'll still remember your son, you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
I see no reason or need to stop a good thing. 
Reply #175 Saturday, November 1, 2008 4:37 PM
i think your as brave as your son,good luck to both of you.
Reply #177 Saturday, November 1, 2008 5:01 PM
I hope things continue in such a positive way. (I followed the thread from the start and even tho I didn't post my good wishes were there for you and your family; glad to get an update)
Reply #178 Saturday, November 1, 2008 5:34 PM
Hiya Messiah, I'm writing this with tears in my eyes, no parents should have to endure what you and your wife have gone through, nor little Ethan for that matter, I suppose the only thing that counts now is that the news keeps getting better and better all the time, I'm so happy for you my friend, really, well and truly happy for you...I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier as I only seen the post today, so all this time you've been going through this gut wrenching experience and yet still managed to survive, I take my hat off to you and your wife Messiah, your family must be one very loved family, and with the help of all the prayers, combined with the love, lets hope Ethans news continues to get better and better....cheers my friend, give your wife and Ethan a big hug from me and the Missus, then ask her to give you one from us as well....Godspeed and Godbless Messiah
Reply #179 Saturday, November 1, 2008 6:29 PM
Excellent news!! I'm so glad things are looking up! 
Reply #180 Saturday, November 1, 2008 6:39 PM
This is really great news! I didn't see this post until today, so at first I was worried that it might turn bad. I am sooooo happy that it didn't! Tell him I say "Hi!"
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Reply #161 Thursday, February 21, 2008 11:09 AM