The Power of One Donor: Day +5

As we discussed in the last blog entry, Jason has a low platelet count. Perhaps I should be more clear to those who are not sure about the purpose of platelets.

Platelets clot blood in order to heal wounds and prevent bleeding. According to Wikipedia, “if the number of platelets is too low, excessive bleeding can occur. However, if the number of platelets is too high, blood clots can form, which may obstruct blood vessels and result in such events as a stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, or the blockage of blood vessels to other parts of the body, such as the extremities of the arms or legs.”

Today Jason’s platelets are low but, in my opinion, something miraculous has happened.

Last year, Jason was hospitalized for over forty days. During that time, he was internally bleeding and his platelet count was too low to heal that bleed. In that time, Jason was being infused with numerous units of platelets in hopes of them staying in his blood to heal the wounds. This never worked. Often, after infusions, a blood test would reveal that Jason’s platelet count had dropped even lower.

When Jason’s platelet count indicated a downward trend, this week’s doctor on call was deeply worried; she was actually surprised that we were not panicking along with her. After speaking to Jason’s regular doctor her panic subsided. She now knows that Jason’s blood has had a habit of low platelets. She is obviously still concerned but not overly so.

So, what is the big miracle? Well, as I said, Jason hasn’t ever, not ever, not once responded to platelet infusions. It almost made me laugh when doctors and others would still be surprised that, after the fiftieth time (that’s right, 50^th) Jason’s body still had no response. After all, his immune system, when activated, kills platelets and red blood cells.

And the day before yesterday Jason received more platelets. After testing, his platelet number decreased. 

But yesterday something happened. Jason received platelets and his platelet number increased from 4,000 to 7,000 platelets! Now, let’s be clear, a count of 7,000 platelets is still dangerously low. 95% of the people reading this will have between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets in their bodies. This hospital does not regularly discharge patients who have less than 30,000. Though, Jason has been released with a count above only 10,000. But during a bone marrow transplant all patients will lose platelets so don't be too shocked that his platelets are low. 

But why did these platelets stay in his system? Why didn’t they pass through like all these others? No one has a clear understanding of this but it seems like this particular platelet donor was the best match ever. They cannot confirm this, and it is too early to speculate if this donor's platelets would be able to perform the same increase again but so far, this is the only time a platelet infusion has worked. The hope is that this particular donor’s platelets will continue to work in Jason’s body.

Today doctors actually called the exact donor and asked if they would be willing to donate again, specifically for Jason. This person said, “Yes.”

As I type, Jason is receiving these platelets in the hopes that, once again, his numbers will rise. For now, we are thankful that they even rose at all, and that there is someone in the area willing to take time out of their day to continue donating for Jason.

Let us not forget that the bone marrow transplant is not in full effect and that Jason’s immune system still has a small amount of power to destroy platelets. But we are still joyful that for one day Jason’s body received help and didn’t harm it. Perhaps today this will happen again!!!

Looking forward to informing you about the outcome of this transfusion and thank you for all of your prayers. Yesterday was wonderful!

-----

*** Today Jason's second and incredibly long headache has somewhat subsided. His nausea is present and he is very tired. He has been sleeping all morning and says he feels, "Blah." But his appetite is not completely lost.