Answered Prayers

Today is definitely a day for thanksgiving. 

Join me in thanking God for answering our prayers regarding Matt's pending surgery.

We had an appointment with his hematologist today, and he told us that he does not think his condition warrants the splenectomy at this time!!!

Yes, his circulating levels of platelets are very low.  But...it's a "false low" according to the hematologist because his spleen is hoarding the remaining platelets.  He has no symptoms that they would normally look for when preparing a patient for a splenectomy.  He doesn't have spontaneous bleeding (internal, from any bodily orifice, gums, etc).  He hasn't had an inordinate number of infections that he hasn't been able to fight off.  (Of course, it takes him longer than usual to fight colds/flu because of being diabetic and having the blood issue, but nothing out of the ordinary.)  He hasn't lost a significant amount of weight, he hasn't developed intolerable pain in the splenic region.

For now, we are status quo. 

He will continue to be monitored closely by his regular physician and hematologist, with blood tests every month and CT scans every six months to monitor the levels and spleen size.  Any significant changes and they will proceed with surgery. 

But for now, THANK GOD, he does not have to have surgery!!!

Thank you to everyone who has kept us in your thoughts and prayers.  Your support and friendship means the world to me!!!

Afraid

Friends, I need some support and prayer.

I am afraid.

We received news today from Matt's doctor that his spleen needs to come out. The way she put it "sooner than later". As in the first week or so of January. No later than that.

We have known for about a 18 months, maybe two years that he has this blood disorder, thrombocytopenia. Basically he has very low platelet counts, and his spleen is enlarged because it is a hungry little bugger hoarding all the cells it's supposed to filter. His platelet and white cell counts have steadily declined, but they are reaching the point that is dangerous to him. In an adult, a normal count is about 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Matt's is 28,000. A year ago at this time it was 31,000. Any further decline (a count of 20,000 or less) could lead to spontaneous internal bleeding, and possibly even death due to the blood loss and his blood's inability to clot properly. Removing his spleen is the only way to cure this.

I am beyond scared. I am beyond terrified. I don't have big enough words for the emotions I'm feeling right now. I am trying to be strong for him because I can tell in his voice that he is beyond terrified of having the surgery, and of the implications of not having it. He is my big strong protector and to hear him with any waver of doubt and fear in his voice just slays me.

Please pray for him, for me, for us.

I've only had him for six years...

That's not nearly long enough.