Hello Hopeful and thanks for responding.
The past 7 months have been a whirlwind on one hand, yet on the other it feels like time is standing still and someone has their finger on the rewind button.
Dad was fine one day and in critical condition the next. In September dad had labs drawn for a routine physical . That same day the doctor called to inform him that he needed to be admitted to the hospital immediately due to critically low levels. Looking back he was experiencing some of the warning signs--bruising, tired and shortness of breathe. Dad has been an outdoorsman all his life. We blamed the above symptoms on the hot summer days and his passion for working in his garden after a full days work.
Below is a copy of some of the journal entries on dad's CaringBridge site. I share this so you have a better understanding of how quickly, in comparion to others, this whirlwind has been.
--------On September 9th 2011, Bob had blood drawn for a routine yearly physical. We were quickly notified by our family physician that his blood levels were low, particularly his platelet count, hemoglobin and white blood cells. The original concern was a reaction to a prescribed medication, but other medical conditions were also mentioned.
Throughout the next weeks his levels continued low and even worsened despite treatment. His initial bone marrow test did not reveal anything or provide a diagnosis. We were referred to Nashville to a specialist who wanted a 2nd bone marrow test. It also did not reveal anything. We were told to be patient and wait to see if an underlying disease process was emerging. He was told that he might have aplastic anemia or MDS ( pre-leukemia). He has received several platelet and blood transfusions while he "waited."
His blood levels continued to drop. His overall condition seem to deteriorate over the weeks. On Dec. 8th, he had his 3rd bone marrow test and was told it would be a week before he would hear from thee results. Once again the waiting continued.
His health progressively worsened. Over the last 2 weeks he had a transfusion reaction to platelets, experienced confusion and short term memory loss and they feared theat he might of had a stroke. The need for supportive transfusions treatment increased in frequency. Even after receiving blood and platelets he developed an uncontrollable nose bleed,which is a potentially severe complication of low blood platelets. We notified the Drs in Nashville and by the Grace of God all of the right people answered the phone and were attentive of his need for urgent care. Within the hour, he was notified by the Drs in Nashviille that his bone marrow showed aplastic anema, and for him to come to Nashville that night. The Drs were immediately aggressive to start his care. Praise God!
Today is Saturday the 10th, Bob has received 2 units of blood and will get a PIC line for better IV access. He will start his Chemo on Monday,12th.
To us he has always been special. But now we know that he is truly one in a million. Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disease that affects 1-3 out of one million people .
Jump a couple months to February 2012
Journal Title:Crunch Time
Bob went to see Dr last Thursday (2/9). He said that he wanted Bob to have a bone marrow biopsy in 4 weeks. He needs to have an increase in cellularity of the bone marrow and an increase his lab values. If not, the Dr said that he will have to pursue a bone marrow transplant. That scared us. Bob is showing a little improvement in white blood cell levels, but he needs a lot more. He has been getting platelets once a week and PRBCs about every 10-12 days. He does not receive white blood cells in the transfusions, his body has to make them. An increase on his blood tests would indicate that he is making blood cells and that his bone marrow is functioning.
So needless to say it is crunch time! We ask for your prayers. We know that God is in control and he is the Great Physician. We know that all who read this will sincerely pray for Bob. Please pray every day for the next 4 weeks.. We have Faith that God will answer prayers!
March 2012
[BJournal Title: ]The Road Ahead[/b]
Bob has to have a bone marrow transplant. His Dr called today and said that there is no improvement in his bone marrow and that he wants to get started as soon as possible. His brother will be tested to see if he is a possible donor. If not then they will go to the national donor registry. If his only brother is not a match, it may take 3-4 months to find a match. The important thing at this point is for Bob to stay well. We have accepted that this is the Lord's will and have Faith that he will be with us throughout. A transplant is the only cure for Aplastic Anemia. Although it will be a very long road, It is God's will that Bob will be cured, and we will give God all the praise and Glory. Please continue to pray for Bob and all of us as we embark on this journey.
That is dad's timeline with Aplast Anemia to date. He is being treated at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville TN. Any feedback from other patients that received their BMT at Vanderbilt is welcomed. My family has been very pleased with the dad's medical team. They all appear to be very knowledgeable and have experience with Aplastic Anemia--but who am I to judge....7 months ago I had no idea this dreadful disease even exisited!
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