Where do I begin?

     

    Our machines may have made an error, and we will need to send her for more testing to re-draw and repeat the test, but there is a chance your daughter either has some sort of blood disorder, or she has Leukemia, but we will not know until you take her to Children's Hospital tomorrow morning.....

    As a 10 year old child, I sat and stared at the nurse and my Mom and asked "what's leukemia?". The nurse leans over and states; "oh honey, its a type of cancer". My mind went blank, and I do remember being more upset and scared for my mom than for myself. She sobbed herself to sleep, and I will never forget hearing her cry all night. I remember my sister and I joking that I might have to wear a helmet so I dont hit my head and have bleeding. I didn't really understand what was going on. The next morning we got up early, drove all the way across town, met my Dad in the main lobby, and when we went up the elevator, the doors opened to the "oncology" floor. Although I was a child, I understood the severity of what was going on. AFter several vials of blood taken and a long consult with the Pediatric Oncologist, it was determined that I had Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) but they did not know how I got this. ITP is low platelets in your blood, and these are important for blood clotting. Typical range is greater than 150k, I remember they told me my initial count was 10k!!! I remember if you would barely touch my arm, I would bruise like a peach. I was placed on steroids by the doctor and sent for repeat blood work 2 times a week until my numbers began to increase. Over the years, my numbers finally improved to a manageable level where I no longer needed treatment, only further follow up and bloodwork. If only it were that easy.