Our blissfully boring ride hit a few bumps during our recent check up with our transplant team. I took Weston for labs early; I just had this gnawing feeling that something was wrong. I truly expected his liver enzymes to be haywire because of current viral illnesses. ALT or AST (I can never remember) was just slightly elevated...GGT was a-ok. Hemoglobin was 6.6. Whoa! Step on the breaks. 6.6?? It should be ~12. Further testing that afternoon showed an almost non-existent iron level.
Poor little guy got a stat abdominal ultra-sound to check all major organ structures and blood flow through vessels. Have you ever had to keep a hungry 17 month old PERFECTLY still for over an hour? Holy cow, I was sweating bullets by the time it was done. Then, more labs and a blood transfusion. It really is an eerie, almost wrong feeling to see your baby receiving blood. I know that our blood supply is safe, this unit was even CMV negative; but it goes against everything I, as a nurse and child growing up in a culture aware of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, was taught. If it's not your blood, don't touch it! Be aware of blood-borne pathogens!! **shiver**
Almost a week later, we know what isn't causing the anemia, but are still unsure of what IS causing it. Top suspects are: milk induced (he likes milk more than food), pica (munching on paper) and medication induced. He had a repeat CBC done today at his pediatrician's office...we should know the results tomorrow. And, I am currently the poop police, collecting multiple samples to check for hidden blood. Yay. He also is taking iron supplements twice a day. Poor bubby takes it like a champ and shutters every time because of its nasty taste.
Other than that fiasco, Weston is doing really well. He started part-time day care two weeks ago! He is loving it! I can already notice an increase in his chattering and play. We are making plans to celebrate his "re-birthday" with his classmates at the end of the month!! That's right! January 28th is just around the corner. In some ways it is hard to believe it's been a year since transplant. How blessed we are.
Until next time,
Ashley
http://thegoldengram.blogspot.com/ 
