Thanks for words of support

harveyc · 03-12-2009, 09:35 PM

Some have caught on that my wife and I have been worried sick over our son Michael's health recently. His platelet levels are low (45,000-60,000 vs. normal range of 150,000-450,000). Last week the doctor examining him at a children's hospital felt that his spleen was enlarged and a second doctor examined him and agreed. Although the doctor didn't believe something such as cancer was likely, my other died nearly five years ago after having cancer found in her spleen (without cancer detected elsewhere, this was unheard of and got attention internationally among researchers).

Today Michael had a ultrasound of his spleen and it appeared completely normal!

The most likely cause now appears to be this:

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition in which your immune system mistakenly identifies platelets as a threat and forms antibodies that attack them.

We're not out of the woods yet, but greatly relieved.

Thanks again,

Harvey

buzzwinder · 03-12-2009, 09:46 PM

Thanks for the update Harvey, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

saltydad · 03-12-2009, 11:16 PM

Harvey, while you said you're not out of the woods yet, the results to date are extremely encouraging. My thoughts and prayers are for all of you. Please keep us posted if it's not too intrusive. Thanks.

chong · 03-13-2009, 01:54 AM

We will remember your son and your family in our prayers, and especially at Mass we'll remember you all in our special intentions.

Tog Tan · 03-13-2009, 06:27 AM

Harv, we are all with you.

damaclese · 03-13-2009, 07:11 AM

Harvey thank you for sharing that with us my hart goes out to you and your family i will pray for your sons speedy recovery don't dishearten there are many new treatments for all sorts of autoimmune disorders thees days
take care
Paul

bepah · 03-13-2009, 09:58 AM

Harvey,

Our prayers are with you...

bigdog · 03-13-2009, 10:34 AM

Very nice that you have some good news! So sorry that you and your family have been through so much loss and hardships...I'll pray for you.

Frank

austinl01 · 03-13-2009, 12:43 PM

Harvey, I hope your son's health will be 100% very soon. I'm glad that you got encouraging news. We'll be thinking about you and your family during this difficult time.

Patty in Wisc · 03-13-2009, 02:14 PM

Thoughts & prayers coming your way Harvey.
How old is your son?

momoese · 03-13-2009, 02:35 PM

Hope your son gets to feeling better soon Harvey, and glad to hear it wasn't cancer!

harveyc · 03-13-2009, 02:36 PM

Michael is 11.

The phlebotomist gave Michael a bag of toys, etc. yesterday and his favorite was a wind-up car, though I thought it was pretty cool that he got a sheet of stickers of banana plants, monkeys, and bunches of bananas!

Of course, I thought of you guys when I saw that!

Thanks,

Harvey

Dalmatiansoap · 03-13-2009, 02:45 PM

Everything is going to be just fine!
Chins up Harvey!
You will be in our prayers.

Caloosamusa · 03-13-2009, 02:58 PM

Harveyc,

May God watch over and protect your family and especially your son. Your prayers are being answered, in the name of the Lion of Judah.

You and your family will be in our prayers!

Chironex · 03-14-2009, 02:11 PM

Harvey, I am praying for your sons recovery and for strength to you and your family. May God's blessings be with your family at this time of uncertainty.

harveyc · 04-17-2009, 10:41 AM

Update: Michael went back to Children's Hospital on Wednesday and his platelet level increased to 97,000!

I had told the doctor back on 3/12 about my plans to try having Michael eat Chinese black bean soup, something Tog had recommended to me (and supported by a local Chinese immigrant last night when I mentioned it to her) and the doctor had said "go for it". She also had said that there was some anecdotal evidence that vitamin C might help so we starting giving that to Michael as well. The nurses and doctors were all pleased to see the increase in platelets and I got the feeling we've got them talking about Chinese black bean soup! LOL Michael also had a bone marrow sample (taken under anesthesia) at 11:30 and preliminary results are all normal (the only way to diagnose ITP is to rule out other possibilities). Michael was discharged at about 1pm and we then drove to Point Reyes and started our backpacking trip, hitting the trail at 4pm and hiking 4.6 miles to set up camp. (The doctors had given this their okay.) We hiked about 9 miles yesterday. We had a blast!

I'll try to post photos in another thread later when I get time. Hopefully, my old cheapie camera worked okay.

Dalmatiansoap · 04-17-2009, 10:46 AM

Bravo!!

Tog Tan · 04-17-2009, 11:10 AM

Great to hear things are well. It will get better Harv! I had my sisters to ask their friends to do a run on the Chinese web(we don't read Chinese) and all came back with the positive belief of the effect of Chinese black beans in soup. All the best!

Ueberwinden · 04-17-2009, 11:20 AM

Harvey,

Your son is in good hands at Childrens Hospital. When my son was attacked by a siberian husky at age 5, he was taken to Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati. They were very attentive to Derek's needs and to ours as traumatized parents. One of the nurses even took my wifes clothes that were soaked in blood and cleaned them. They were incredible with Derek, today he is a very happy seventeen year old who is about to graduate next school year, the scars are so faint that you can't see them. I have nothing but good things to say about Childrens. I will pray for your son Michael that he will continue to be able to grow up as if nothing was ever wrong in his young life. May the Lord have his hands on you and your family.

Michael

Bob · 04-17-2009, 11:23 AM

Glad to hear the good news Harvey. Thanks for the update.

03-12-2009, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,547 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Thanks for words of support Some have caught on that my wife and I have been worried sick over our son Michael's health recently. His platelet levels are low (45,000-60,000 vs. normal range of 150,000-450,000). Last week the doctor examining him at a children's hospital felt that his spleen was enlarged and a second doctor examined him and agreed. Although the doctor didn't believe something such as cancer was likely, my other died nearly five years ago after having cancer found in her spleen (without cancer detected elsewhere, this was unheard of and got attention internationally among researchers). Today Michael had a ultrasound of his spleen and it appeared completely normal! The most likely cause now appears to be this: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a condition in which your immune system mistakenly identifies platelets as a threat and forms antibodies that attack them. We're not out of the woods yet, but greatly relieved. Thanks again, Harvey __________________

03-12-2009, 09:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
buzzwinder buzzwinder's Photo Gallery Location: Loves Park, Il. Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bill Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 871 BananaBucks : 11,829 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,043 Times Was Thanked 846 Times in 354 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,155 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Thanks for the update Harvey, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. __________________ Bill for my friend

03-12-2009, 11:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 174,163 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harvey, while you said you're not out of the woods yet, the results to date are extremely encouraging. My thoughts and prayers are for all of you. Please keep us posted if it's not too intrusive. Thanks. __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

03-13-2009, 01:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
chong Senior Member chong's Photo Gallery Location: Seattle, WA Find me on the map! Zone: 8-9 Name: Chong Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,851 BananaBucks : 97,031 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,309 Times Was Thanked 1,701 Times in 758 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 991 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support We will remember your son and your family in our prayers, and especially at Mass we'll remember you all in our special intentions.

03-13-2009, 06:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 431,292 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,723 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harv, we are all with you. __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

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03-13-2009, 07:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
damaclese Living in Exile damaclese's Photo Gallery Location: Henderson NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Mediterranean climate Name: Paulo Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,767 BananaBucks : 283,249 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,352 Times Was Thanked 1,620 Times in 706 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 101 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harvey thank you for sharing that with us my hart goes out to you and your family i will pray for your sons speedy recovery don't dishearten there are many new treatments for all sorts of autoimmune disorders thees days take care Paul __________________ Helping to foster understanding for the learning disabled

03-13-2009, 09:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
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bigdog ******* bigdog's Photo Gallery** Location: Gainesville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Frank Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,002 BananaBucks : 732,683 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 212 Times Was Thanked 1,787 Times in 502 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Very nice that you have some good news! So sorry that you and your family have been through so much loss and hardships...I'll pray for you. Frank

03-13-2009, 12:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 7b/8a Line Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,288 BananaBucks : 162,133 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,590 Times Was Thanked 907 Times in 397 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 507 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harvey, I hope your son's health will be 100% very soon. I'm glad that you got encouraging news. We'll be thinking about you and your family during this difficult time. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Extreme Winter Lows: 5-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 100-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

03-13-2009, 02:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 337,293 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Thoughts & prayers coming your way Harvey. How old is your son? __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,589 BananaBucks : 12,263 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,747 Times Was Thanked 10,886 Times in 3,310 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 728 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Hope your son gets to feeling better soon Harvey, and glad to hear it wasn't cancer!

03-13-2009, 02:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,547 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Michael is 11. The phlebotomist gave Michael a bag of toys, etc. yesterday and his favorite was a wind-up car, though I thought it was pretty cool that he got a sheet of stickers of banana plants, monkeys, and bunches of bananas! Of course, I thought of you guys when I saw that! Thanks, Harvey __________________

03-13-2009, 02:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,160 BananaBucks : 606,316 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,508 Times Was Thanked 8,381 Times in 3,031 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Everything is going to be just fine! Chins up Harvey! You will be in our prayers. __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

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Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 27,862 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,556 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harveyc, May God watch over and protect your family and especially your son. Your prayers are being answered, in the name of the Lion of Judah. You and your family will be in our prayers!

03-14-2009, 02:11 PM	#15 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 118,317 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harvey, I am praying for your sons recovery and for strength to you and your family. May God's blessings be with your family at this time of uncertainty. __________________ Scot

04-17-2009, 10:41 AM	#16 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,117 BananaBucks : 260,547 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,024 Times Was Thanked 4,453 Times in 1,894 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Update: Michael went back to Children's Hospital on Wednesday and his platelet level increased to 97,000! I had told the doctor back on 3/12 about my plans to try having Michael eat Chinese black bean soup, something Tog had recommended to me (and supported by a local Chinese immigrant last night when I mentioned it to her) and the doctor had said "go for it". She also had said that there was some anecdotal evidence that vitamin C might help so we starting giving that to Michael as well. The nurses and doctors were all pleased to see the increase in platelets and I got the feeling we've got them talking about Chinese black bean soup! LOL Michael also had a bone marrow sample (taken under anesthesia) at 11:30 and preliminary results are all normal (the only way to diagnose ITP is to rule out other possibilities). Michael was discharged at about 1pm and we then drove to Point Reyes and started our backpacking trip, hitting the trail at 4pm and hiking 4.6 miles to set up camp. (The doctors had given this their okay.) We hiked about 9 miles yesterday. We had a blast! I'll try to post photos in another thread later when I get time. Hopefully, my old cheapie camera worked okay. __________________

04-17-2009, 10:46 AM	#17 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,160 BananaBucks : 606,316 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,508 Times Was Thanked 8,381 Times in 3,031 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 720 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Bravo!! __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

04-17-2009, 11:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
Tog Tan Ensete nut Tog Tan's Photo Gallery Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Name: Tog Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1,757 BananaBucks : 431,292 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,011 Times Was Thanked 2,723 Times in 787 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Great to hear things are well. It will get better Harv! I had my sisters to ask their friends to do a run on the Chinese web(we don't read Chinese) and all came back with the positive belief of the effect of Chinese black beans in soup. All the best! __________________ ____ Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

04-17-2009, 11:20 AM	#19 (permalink)
Ueberwinden Ueberwinden Ueberwinden's Photo Gallery Location: Florence, KY Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Mike Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 246 BananaBucks : 46,737 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 23 Times Was Thanked 158 Times in 86 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Harvey, Your son is in good hands at Childrens Hospital. When my son was attacked by a siberian husky at age 5, he was taken to Childrens Hospital in Cincinnati. They were very attentive to Derek's needs and to ours as traumatized parents. One of the nurses even took my wifes clothes that were soaked in blood and cleaned them. They were incredible with Derek, today he is a very happy seventeen year old who is about to graduate next school year, the scars are so faint that you can't see them. I have nothing but good things to say about Childrens. I will pray for your son Michael that he will continue to be able to grow up as if nothing was ever wrong in his young life. May the Lord have his hands on you and your family. Michael __________________ White Horticulture Rare, Tropical, Unique

04-17-2009, 11:23 AM	#20 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 205,519 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Thanks for words of support Glad to hear the good news Harvey. Thanks for the update. __________________

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