A quick update...

Because of bad weather, we didn't go to chemo yesterday but rescheduled for today. Everything went well with chemo but we were told that Michael has a condition (not related to chemo) called Immunoligic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (or ITP for short).

ITP is where your immune system attacks your healthy platelets thereby making your counts low. The danger in this is that it can cause uncontrolled bleeding. Normal platelet counts are between 150,000 and 450,000. Michael's were 31,000 today. So now we have to watch for signs of bleeding (bloody noses, bleeding gums, excessive bruising, etc.) and be careful that he doesn't hit his head. Dr. Kennedy said that she isn't too concerned as long as his counts stay above 20,000. ITP goes away by itself in six months or less in 80% -90% of the cases with no treatment. Let's hope that is the case with Michael.

Christmas has started for Michael. The company I work for bought Michael a large Transformer which we stopped on our way to chemo for him to receive. He was thrilled! But that wasn't the end. He received a LARGE bag of toys at the hospital. There was a couple of tractors, a book, a 2008 Hess truck, a set of Matchbox cars, a stuffed shark and a Teddy bear.

I have been under the weather the last couple of days (either food poisoning or a stomach bug) so I am behind in my Christmas preparations. I will end for now and give you more details in a day or so, complete with lots of pictures. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, JoAnne.