July 3, 2012

Today was ACH day.   They did not do the blood draw to send to Children's Hospital of Ohio in Cincinnati due to the holiday and didn't want the blood to go bad, get lost, etc.  I actually called yesterday with that concern and Dr. S concurred.  So we will wait on that one.  She did say research technology may not even be advanced enough to discover the reason for his immune issues but then again they may discover something, so it's still a go, just at a later date.

Eric's Homoglobin today was 11.8, the same as Monday.  His reticulocyte count went up as well.  I copied "this" from Web MD.   BTW, the type of anemia Eric has is not an "iron deficient anemia,"  I wish it were as simple as increasing iron intake!  :)

Reticulocyte Count     

A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures how fast red blood cells called reticulocytes are made by the bone marrow and released into the blood. Reticulocytes are in the blood for about 2 days before developing into mature red blood cells. Normally, about 1% to 2% of the red blood cells in the blood are reticulocytes.

The reticulocyte count rises when there is a lot of blood loss or in certain diseases in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, such as hemolytic anemia. Also, being at high altitudes may cause reticulocyte counts to rise, to help you adjust to the lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

Why It Is Done

A reticulocyte count is done to:

• See whether anemia is caused by fewer red blood cells being made or by a greater loss of red blood cells.
• Check how well bone marrow is working to make red blood cells.

So, not better and not worse.  And for being just 2 days since his last cbc, we will take it.  He's gone up by .4 each time we've checked, however that is in 6 days not 2.

Dr. Succente said Eric's condition is "not normal" and has her stumped.  His hemoglobin has not gone down enough for a transfusion (thankfully) but it's not to where she thinks he needs to take steroids - the treatment for hemolytic anemia.  And she does not want to HAVE to give him steroids because of all the side effects, etc.    And we completely agree, we would rather not :)  We are going to get a cbc again the next 2 Mondays and then go back to ACH in 2 weeks.  She did say there is still "something" chewing up his red blood cells.     Will you agree with me in prayer for Eric's COMPLETE healing?

Thank you my praying friends!
Jan