Low Platelet Medical Emergency- our little girl!

After noticing increasing bruises and tiny red (though painless) dots on our 23 month-old daughter’s body over the course of a few days, we took Jemina Mercy to the pediatrician for a blood test.  To our horror, the pediatrician called us Saturday afternoon as we were leaving VBS with nightmare news: “Pack a bag and come to the hospital immediately, because your daughter is in critical condition and needs to be urgently admitted.”

I had imagined we would be rushing to the hospital any day now- but for the birth of our son (as I had already reached term in my pregnancy)- but I never could have imagined I would be doing so for the health of our little girl!

Jemina’s bloodwork revealed a critically low platelet count (of only 6000, when healthy platelet level is 150000).  Though she acted like a normal, healthy toddler (eating, playing, laughing), her dangerously low platelet count put her at risk for serious internal bleeding from any, even minor, bump or fall.  Her condition, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), is a rare autoimmune disorder (affecting only approx. 6 of every 100,000 children!) usually initiated from a minor infection/cold in which the body erroneously reacts by not only attacking the infection but the body’s own blood platelets. 

Once at the hospital, Jemina was confined to bed

or arms for her own safety from falls or accidents (imagine telling an active toddler to sit still for days at a hospital!), and was started on IV medication and fluids around the clock.  She was so brave when the nurses connected her IV and drew her blood: just two big tears rolled out of her eyes.  During her abdominal ultrasound, Jemina was given her own wand and happily explored her own tummy (like she had seen done to momma at so many OB appointments these past months).

During the hospital stay, we were blessed with help by so many: my mom flew down immediately to stay with Jemina and me at the

hospital, and my whole family (with lots of medical professionals) were in contact with recommendations and explanations. Paco´s family took turns caring for Jemina so we could shower or eat.  Many church brothers visited. 

On her fourth day at the hospital, her new blood work revealed a miracle: a platelet count of 156,000! Healthy numbers! (when doctors had said she would be discharged if she could reach barely 30,000). She was sent home on Tuesday evening- though with orders to continue medication and monitoring for the next month.  Her ITP was not cured at the hospital; rather, the meds she was given restored her platelet levels,

but her body´s immune response against her own blood is something only “time”, or GOD!, can restore.

Unfortunately, Jemina awoke on Wednesday at home feeling miserable: vomiting every couple hours and holding her head in pain. We had tears in our eyes watching her misery.  After almost a full day of not keeping liquids down, we returned her to the hospital for a shot of nausea meds. 

Apparently, we were witnessing side effects of very strong medications on the little body of our baby girl.

On Thursday, by the Lord´s grace, Jemi seemed like a new person! She ate a light breakfast (and kept it down!), took her medicines, enjoyed her bath time, and was chattering and playing again.

Though we continue to witness side

effects of her medications, we are also witnessing her daily health (no signs of reappearing bruising or petechiae).  We trust that the same God who created and loves Jemina, who has sustained her and us in so many ways in this trial, is the same God who will bring her to full health.