Happy Day, Bunny Rabbits!!

11 MONTHS OLD

Just before discharge...

Noa is doing great! She was such a big girl through it all. The
nursing staff just adored her, who wouldn't?

Noa had a few good naps before that 2nd treatment, which lasted about 4.5 hours. We took several long walks throughout the hospital. Noa slept all night and woke up her normal giggly self.

Platelet count was up to 96,000. Which will continue to increase over the next few days.

What's this?

Steve and I were nervous wrecks. Noa was a champ with most of the poking and proding. The only thing she despised, was the blood pressure cuff, which was so tiny! She loved her pulse oxygen monitor which made her big toe light up like E.T.'s finger. We playfully called it "Glow Toe."

The first treatment lasted about 3.5 hours. Noa was unable to sleep that night, for fear that the blood pressure cuff might sneak up on her. We read, took walks, and played in the "Fun Room."

Getting settled into the Hospital

Platelets - prognosis excellent

A Hematologist from UIC ordered 2 treatments of IVIG. IVIG comes from human plasma. Human plasma is the liquid part of the blood that does not contain red blood cells.

Noa remained in great spirits. She actually loved her crib, she was high up and could jump around like a monkey.

ER exam

Noa's Platelet count was 27,000 which should normally be around 150,000-250,000. They were going to treat her for ITP, Idiopathic (Immune) Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

ITP occurs when a person makes antiplatelet antibodies which attach to his/her own platelets. The antibodies cause the immune system to destroy the platelets. This results in a decrease in the platelet count. Most often, this is brought on by a virus like the common cold.

ER

We called our Pediatrician, Dr. Schluter, about a few bruises that appeared on Friday. He suggested we take Noa to a local Doctor to get a Platelet count. Steve called his old friend from Med School, who diagnoses Noa with ITP, based on the bruising. We took Noa to the ER after our MA insurance denied us access to a Pediatrician and Urgent Care.

Not feelin' so hot at grandma's...