Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)
is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Day 45

Thursday.  Early morning blood draw showed his platelets were at 11.  Way too low!!  So Riley woke up and had breakfast and went back to sleep because of the benedryl.  Our doctor ordered the nurse to run the platelets through over a half hour instead of 2 hours like they have been.  It is the plasma that the platelets sit in that he is reacting to.  Less time exposure to the plasma means (hopefully) no reactions.  Our wonderful nurse stood over Riley as the platelets were going in this morning.  Just keeping a good eye on my boy!  He did well.  Papa just came over to spend the afternoon and night with Riley.  I am off to Wyatt's Pinewood Derby!  Life continues. :)
Everytime Riley has a transfusion, I think about the amazing gift that someone, a stranger, has given to us!  I feel completely indebted to these "volunteer donors".  These wonderful people who give of their time and body truly are saving Riley's life.  To date, Riley has received 22 blood transfusions.  When the nurse walks in with the red blood cells or platelets, (depending on his need),  I feel as though they are holding gold.  It really  is worth so much more than money could ever buy.  Thank you donors.  You are saving and forever changing lives!!

Labs today:
White blood cells: 0.5 (normal 4.5 - 13.5)
Red Blood cells: 8.6 (normal 13.5 - 17.5)
Platelets: 11 (normal 150 - 425)  - 1 bag platelets
ANC:  0 ( < 500 = severely neutropenic)
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3 comments:

  1. HeatherJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Hi Chrissie,

    Thank you for this post. I am a blood donor, and it makes me happy to know that maybe my blood is helping someone like Riley. Sometimes it is easy to become detached from what will really happen to that bag after they label it and take it away.

    We are continually praying for Riley and all of your family!

    Heather Jensen

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  2. jodi bridgesJanuary 28, 2012 at 10:46 AM

    This inspires me. Scared to death to donate. Both times I've tried they had to dig for my veins with little or no success. I think I'll have to give it a try again! Yall are in our family prayers every day (and pe rsonal prayers too!) Hang in there!

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  3. MonicaFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:34 PM

    Chrissie and Vince,
    I just got through reading all 45 days of your blog. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Riley and your family. He is a very loved boy with amazing parents and family...I can't help but feel his spirit and love him too. I know I haven't seen Chrissie since high school, but it doesn't seems like that long really. I have a only one son who is the same age as Riley...and same interests (U of A, sports!) Wish we lived closer to visit. I'm sure our boys would be fast friends. Riley is a strong boy and I just know that he is going to beat this cancer. All my love to you all. Tell Riley the Anderson's in Washinton are thinking of him.
    Monica (Widmer) Anderson

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