We are too stumped for words to describe our reaction to the results today. Utmost relief? Profound gratitude? Totally overwhelmed! For the first time since the diagnosis of this frightening disease we can let our guard down to some extent and appreciate the effort it takes to face up to a disease of this nature. Dr Juliana informed us that a full recovery is now very likely within the next few months! Lliam’s tests came back as follow: hemoglobin 107, white blood cell count 3.93, neutrophil count 2.26 and a platelet count of 51. This means that his neutrophil count is now within lower normal range. His hemoglobin count is almost there (115 the target as lower normal). His platelet count is probably closer to 70 based on a physical examination of the slides. The lower normal count for platelets is 150, but we know by now that the platelets will be the last to recover and the trend is overwhelmingly positive.
We must still keep Lliam away from the flu and most of the other infectious viral diseases for the remainder of this (winter) season, but the chances of such a disease upsetting the applecart is getting smaller by the day. His energy levels are back to normal, which means he is driving us nuts! Instead of having to go to the hospital on a monthly basis, we were today “promoted” to bimonthly checkups.
Lliam has been complaining of heel pain for several months now, particularly early in the morning and while playing soccer. We fully expected this to be only “growing pains”, but had to get it checked out just to be sure. The cause of the heel pain was duly diagnosed as Sever’s disease, a very common condition that affects active boys of Lliam’s age and corresponds with the early growth spurts of puberty. Sever’s disease resolves by itself with time and doesn’t cause any long term problems or complications. He is feeling a lot better now that he is wearing the shoe inserts (temporarily) that serves to cushion the heel until the inflammation subsides. We will also take him to a physiotherapist to stretch those calf muscles and Achilles tendons a bit…
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