MEETING THE SPECIALIST

     We woke up early, well summer time early at least, so I could call the specialist's office.  I called right before 7:45 which was the time I was given.  I wasn't thinking anyone would answer since it was early, but a lady did. "Pediatric oncology and blood disorders....(the rest was a blur)"  What in the world?!?  I knew I had the wrong number...why was I calling a cancer doctor??  See where our minds go.
     I said, "Yes, ma'am, I might have the wrong number but I was supposed to call and get my son in sometime this morning.  I'm from Lampasas and our doctor called a spoke to someone last night..." Her response, "Oh yes, Jake.  I got an email from the doctor here last night to get him in ASAP."  
     Mixed emotions came to me again!  I held it together but I'm thinking why the hurry, he's just fine-go look at him.  Then I'm thinking, I've never been to a doctor in such a hurry-this must be urgent.
     Skip to the end, we were to be there at 9 am in Temple.  We grabbed our stuff quickly as we still had to drop Jaden off at my parents and drive the hour.  They knew we might be late and just said to be careful.  We get to our exit and "closed".  Really??!?  Go to the next one, turn around, find it through the back roads and finally arrive at 9:02.  Pretty good if you ask me.  It was a quiet drive, Jake was good, my mind was racing, John just gets quiet.  We jump out of the car, go in and get on the elevator.  All the time we have our fake happy voices trying to make it as happy as we can for Jake but in reality, no parent ever wants to take their child to the doctor.  Well, you know what I mean, we do to get better, but we wish they weren't sick at all.  We get off the elevator and there it is again "Pediatric Oncology and Blood Disorders" real big, couldn't miss it, yep, we were there!  We see a 'fun' little door for Jake to go through and make the most of it.  As we check in, there is all the paperwork for me to fill out.  We were the only ones in the waiting room at this time.   Then a little boy comes out, smiling and all, but my eyes go to the permanent IV that is on his head.  I tried not to look but this is overwhelming to someone that has never been sick, only in the hospital to give birth, then even then, released within 24 hours both times.  The parents were happy, smiling, the child is not phased by the stint on his head, but I hurt for them.  Why is that poor child even here?!?!  
     Sorry, off topic, but the child really opened my eyes.  So, we are waiting then here comes a bald, male nurse, "JAKE!"  Jake jumps up and runs back.  Another male nurse was there to do vitals and all with them.  We go to a room and Jake jumps on up on the bed.  Soon after, we meet Dr. Kane.  Wonderful, brilliant man!  We spoke with us for a little bit about basic things; our home life, what Jake liked to do, siblings, school, etc.  Then he said we would do blood work and then talk.  Perfect, we will now be three sticks in three days.  After yesterday, there was no way I could stay.  Some might say, "How can you leave your child as they are poked?"  Let's just say it is better for me to be gone and out of the room for everyone's sake!  Plus, he is with his dad!  So, I go to the lobby, call my dad and give him the update so far.  I went back in and they had the IV in Jake's hand.  He never cried and said the nurse was very good.  We then have to wait a little while for the results.  I took Jake to the game room where they had everything in the world for kids to play with.  It was wonderful and got Jake's mind off of things by playing.  We then met with Dr. Kane again after the results came in.  Jake was at a 16.  These numbers are really in thousands but it seems doctors just leave off the thousands while talking.  So, in reality he was at 16,000 platelet count when he should be between 150,000-400,000.  He looked at us and just said, "Jake is a sick little boy and we are here to help him.  This is treatable, he can get better.  It will take time..." then went on with all the statistics.  We went over options and the best one at the time was for Jake to get IVIG treatments.  Dr. Kane called over to the hospital (we were next door in the specialty clinic) and told us he would let us know when the room was ready.     At this point, we had gone over every number that they could get from Jake's blood.  Everything was perfect, everything was high, he looked completely normal and healthy on paper.  Except his platelet level.  How could one little number cause so much anxiety, grief, pain, emotion in someone???  We knew his spleen and kidneys were functioning well.  His body was producing blood cells and platelets.  The problem came in that his body was also destroying his own platelets.  You think, oh well, what does that mean?  Basically, if he has no platelets (which he pretty much did not) then there is no clotting.  So, that mosquito bite that was bleeding last Saturday, this is why.  The bruising....well he had spent 4-6 hours jumping into a swimming pool and the impact of the water had caused his body to bruise and bleed on the inside.  That nosebleed that should not happen to a normal 4 year old, this is why.  After all the discussion, Jake has ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura).  We waited a little while longer in the clinic, then we were told we could leave for lunch and they would call when the room was ready.  So, we did, IV still in Jake's hand and all....

  No smile, but still in good spirits!