Claire started bruising last week, on Friday we noticed a large bruise on her knee and we wrote it off because our daughter likes to run, climb, jump and be all over the place. We have not bee helicopter parents, if she falls we make her giggle and let her continue running so a bruise on her knee was not noticed but did not cause a lot of concern. On Saturday as we got ready for MyGym I noticed that the bruises had gotten worse and were now on both legs, I talked with Ryan about it and asked for advice for some friends we got her baby iron supplements { i am anemic so we thought maybe her iron was low and that can cause bruising } we also bought arnica cream to help the discoloration and the pain. The rest of the day we watched her and massaged her and she was still eating and climbing and sleeping with no signs of discomfort I feel bad that I did not immediately call her pediatrician but an active baby with bruises on her knees did not get me TOO worried. Sunday though, she now had bruises all over her arms :( in places that she would not bump while falling and those just did not make sense to me. I called her doctor who was out of town so we made an appointment for Monday at 1pm, I worked a half day and took her in. I was feeling a little bit nervous because I was sad for her, I did not want her to hurt and I thought we would get a new list of foods for her to eat and suggestions on how to up her iron. I as incorrect.
The pediatrician immediately looked worried and called for a blood panel on Claire, I am so thankful that Ryan was also able to leave work because watching her get her blood drawn was awful. I had no idea we would watch it happen about 10 more times over the next few days. They told us that they were worried that she had low platelets and that she would be diagnosed with ITP but to wait three hours for the results and then we would know which steps we needed to take. Claire & I headed home while Ryan had to go back to work :( waiting is awful but we played and ate and then we found out that Claire did have ITP and we needed to head to the ER right away.
ITP is Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura is a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets, which are necessary for normal blood clotting. Persons with the disease have too few platelets in the blood. My mom has chronic ITP so we knew a little bit about it but even know I still do not fully understand immune disorders and plan on getting deep into it just in case this is something Claire has to deal with for a long time. But my mom is healthy and wonderful so I am sure that everything is going to be a-ok :)
While sobbing I called Ryan, my mom and my boss to get everything in line for what we had coming. I packed a ridiculous hospital bag haha Claire probably wouldn't need 12 onesies while Ryan and I share a tooth brush and have no clean underwear. Claire and I loaded up and off we went, I have to say this visit at Memorial/Miller Children's Hospital was much much smoother than our last. From the ER nurses, to our nurses in hematology they were pretty understanding and helpful. I am thankful for them, even when the came in at 2am with squeaky shoes and would wake up our finally sleeping daughter.
A lot happened over the next few days and Ryan plans on sharing that all with you, I just wanted to say thank you for your love and your prayers. My mom&dad came right down to stay with us, clean up our house and love our daughter. Ryan's parents also came to be with us, it was very nice to feel so supported. We had so many texts, calls and emails. We are blown away by everyones kindness, we love you right back.
xo
Nikol