Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Hospital, Shmospital!

So, when Brenner was 9 months old, he got ITP

(Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the condition of having a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) of no known cause (idiopathic). As most causes appear to be related to antibodies against platelets, it is also known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Although most cases are asymptomatic, very low platelet counts can lead to a bleeding diathesis and purpura.)

He looked like this... (If you click on the picture you can see it better.)
He was supposeed to have surgery this morning to have a dermoid cyst removed from above his right eyebrow. Because of his medical history, the surgeon wanted to check his blood just in case. So, to make a really long story, just kind of long, we were waiting in Pre-op and they came to tell us that they wouldn't do surgery because his platelets were at 9000 (anything below 20,000 is bad and 200,000 is normal). We couldn't believe this was happening again... they said it wouldn't come back. So, they sent us up to Hemotology. When we got there, the doctor said that it was weird that he should be back again. However because he didn't have any symptoms (bruises, nose bleeding, etc.) and was much older, they wouldn't treat him. It will heal itself. But they told us to have him take it easy and wait at least a month for his blood to get back to normal before we reschedule the surgery. Then the doctor says, "Let's just check his blood one more time before you leave just to make sure." So, we did. They called right after we got home and... his platelet level was over 200,000. It was a lab error and he is perfectly healthy! So, should we be mad that we didn't have the surgery. And now we have to go back. But, at least we were reassured that Brenner was okay.

4 comments:

Lucashell said...

I remember coming to Primary Childrens to visit. It was so sad, plus that room was so small. I do remember us getting pedicures over at sugar house. Didn't we get him some cookie monster toy. I was so excitted to give brenner our get well gift today, now we have to wait dang it.

So a question: If you have a girl your going to have to change it from Me & My Boys. Is it going to be Me & My Boys & Girl.

Cami said...

This is crummy.
I'm glad this rotten condition is not back.

Lib-Dawg said...

That's kind of scary! Glad it he's okay. You should sue (sp) them! Take them for all their worth!

Anonymous said...

How frusterating!! Most important thing is that Brenner is okay. I'm so glad about that. I was ranting to Shane last night about crummy doctors and insurance companies, so let's just add hospitals to the list. It would be great if they would give you a deal/discount for being inconvenienced, kinda like they do sometimes at restaurants or whatever. Oh well. Let me know when it's rescheduled for.