Idiopathic thrombocytopenia

Big words, those.

They really kind of suck.

They suck because they make my adorable little boy look like he went 12 rounds with a heavyweight and lost. I know he's making his tough face in this picture:



But he's really a lover, not a fighter.

So what is idiopathic (also known as "immuno-") thrombocytopenia? In layman's terms, Benjamin's platelet count is down. Waaaaaaay down. Like, less than 1/25th of what it should be kinda-down. So what's the big deal about low platelets? Well, turns out you need those platelets to prevent minor things like bleeding. Platelets are the things in our bloodstream that form clots when you have a boo-boo. With levels as low as his are/were, he was at a risk for spontaneous bleeding in places where spontaneous bleeding is not welcome, thank you very much.

It all began when Mama noticed little, red, pinprick-sized dots on Benjamin's legs after a nap. The entire household had been fighting a cold the last week and he was enjoying a ragged, persistent cough. Mama thought a trip to the pediatrician would be prudent.

Mama is very wise.

Dr. Pediatrician realized that it wasn't a rash, but purpura. Say it with me now. "Purpuraaaa....." Purpura means "tiny little bruises that look like a connect-the-dot pattern all over your body." Benjamin didn't have a rash, but he had many, many wee bruises, some of which were forming big bruises. Dr. Pediatrician ordered some blood work and lo, Benjamin was found to be sorely lacking in the platelet department.

Soon we were off to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.


Shiny, isn't it?


And here we sit. The doctors here believe this all started with the aforementioned cold that we've been contesting. Since everything else in Benjamin's blood work is hunky dory, the hematologists believe that Benjamin's immune system morphed into an ancient Viking warrior and went berserker-rage style on anything and everything in sight, including his platelets. Poor little guys didn't stand a chance.

He's on dose #2 of an IV therapy that is attempting to rein in the berserker immune system and allow the platelets to replenish themselves. After dose #1, his numbers went up. A titch. Not close to the magic number of platelets that will allow him sweet, sweet freedom, but it's going in the right direction. Dose #2 may be the magic bullet. Maybe.


A re-enactment of Benjamin's immune system as represented by the Battle of Hastings.


In the meantime, Benjamin and Eli seem to both be enjoying heavy doses of undivided attention. If you are so inclined, a prayer, some positive energy, or kind thought, or whatever your spiritual currency may be, would be most welcome.