My Nephew Caleb

[Waco]

is in the hospital. He was getting bruises for no apparent reason. His red and white blood cell counts are extremely low. They haven't figured out why, yet. We should know the results of a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow.

[WoodButcher]

I just prayed for him and will add him to my list. I hope it is nothing critical and he can go home soon.

[Tourmeister]

Please keep us updated. We will be praying for him.

[Waco]

Its Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder where the body stops producing enough new blood cells. which explains why all his counts were dropping. They are pulling his sister out of school right now to see if she is a match for a bone marrow transplant.

[sharkey]

I'll pray for him today.

[Jbay]

thoughts and prayers with Caleb and your family

[JacknTexas]

Prayers sent for him and the family.

BTW-how old is he?

[Waco]

Prayers sent for him and the family.

BTW-how old is he?

12, I think.

[Tourmeister]

Do marrow transplants have to be from relatives?

[Waco]

Do marrow transplants have to be from relatives?

This is all new to me. I think the child's siblings have the best chance. After that, they try other relatives and then they try a donor registry that could be anyone.

[Squeaky]

If his sister isn't a match, let us know if blood type has to be a match first, then those of us who do match can get tested for a marrow match. I know the chances are slim that a stranger matches, but you never know...

[SRADkneedragger]

EPPS!

Express Prayers Sent!
Carl and Marie
SRAD

[Waco]

They are still trying to figure out what caused it. A bone marrow transplant won't do much good if it's only treating a symptom of another problem.

[britishsteele71]

Our prayers are with you. If it helps, my blood type is O+. I am a member of the donar registry..or at least I used to be...Maybe i should check...Anyway, anything we can do to help, don't hesitate...

[scar04]

Im hoping they get it sorted out and treated quickly

[Waco]

They still don't know what caused it. In half the cases, they never do figure it out. Based on the possible causes that have been eliminated, it doesn't make much difference. They are supposed to have plan of treatment tomorrow. He has already begun chemotherapy. We still don't know if his sister is a match for bone marrow. I don't know why that takes so long. They've been keeping him at home to avoid exposure to sick people and they have to be very careful about what they feed him. An apple has to be scrubbed, pealed with a clean knife, and then sliced with a second clean knife. Forget grapes, it's not worth the trouble. His blood count has been holding steady after a transfusion, but he is not producing anything.

[britishsteele71]

Hi Dale, any update?

[Waco]

I don't know why it took so long to determine, but his sister is not a match. From what I've been told, the chances of relatives, other than siblings, being a match isn't much better than non-relatives. They are trying the donor registry next. I don't know if they will want close relatives to get tested or not.

[Waco]

Good news from my brother.

The results of Caleb’s genetic tests all came back negative which is a very good thing. He now falls in the 50-75% that develop aplastic anemia for no apparent reason. He will begin chemo on Wednesday for 10 days. Then we wait 3-4 months to see if the treatment worked.



Merry Christmas,

[scar04]

Its better news.

[Squeaky]

Yes, and it's NEWS. Some of the worst part for the family is the waiting and not knowing.

Hope he has a wonderful Christmas!

[RedPill]

News is good. Good news is better. I'm still praying.

[Waco]

Good news! His blood work is not only holding steady, he is actually producing a few blood cells. He hasn't needed red or white blood cells or platelets for a week and a half.

[Michelle]

Good news! His blood work is not only holding steady, he is actually producing a few blood cells. He hasn't needed red or white blood cells or platelets for a week and a half.

:clap: Glad to hear things are looking up!