Docs informed us today they think Henry might have had roseola. Being the Google-happy camper that I am I looked this up on several different sites and can already tell you that there are a few symptoms Henry hasn't exhibited that are indicative of this infection and one big symptom he has exhibited (the low blood cell count) that is only seen in rare cases of infants that are infected. BUT! If this is what it turns out to be, this is very good news for those of us at Life at the condo. Mainly because it means Monsieur Henry is over the worst of it, his fever broke and the rash said adios a few days ago.
On a side note, Henry had a sweat test this morning to rule out cystic fibrosis and more blood work, which we very much hope shows his numbers returning to the normal range. We expect to know more tomorrow after we speak with Henry's pediatrician.
Update: Henry does not have cystic fibrosis - woohoo! And his white cell count did increase. Not by much but any increase is better than none.
6 comments:
Roseola? Wow, that wouldn't have been my first guess. If that is the case, was it then just an odd coincidence that the low blood cell count was discovered? At the time, wasn't the only concern low weight gain? So strange. Kind of makes me wonder what could be lurking in all of us if we were to really look for it. Either way... I will keep my fingers crossed that Henry is well on his way to his normal self!
(insert Beavis N Butthead Voice): Huuuh huuh. Herpes.
(in normal voice): keeping my fingers crossed for good numbers!
Not knowing and tons of tests has to be hard on everyone. Hang in there! I'll hope for roseola.
Hmmm...Roseola. Okay - that would be GREAT news!
And funny, as many times as I've heard of it NEVER like what Henry went through! Or, uh, not so funny, I guess.
Amber - you have an excellent point. If you look in the blood of an otherwise normal, healthy adult, such as you or me, you will find abnormal "cancer" cells. Maybe they're not the kind of cells that'll grow big and strong and cause problems, but there will be floating around cells that are wonky enough to be classified as such.
What we don't know....
.... but now that we do know, phew!
There is some specialist at OHSU who wants to follow up with Henry. The docs aren't sure it is roseola and, if it is, why it made his white blood cells all wonky, if that is the cause of the weird blood cell numbers. There are some other weird things about his blood, including something off with his growth hormone.
Normally you wouldn't be too concerned with roseola but the first symptom they came across was the low white blood cell count. They probably wouldn't have even seen that if it wasn't for the appointment we had for a weight check at ten months. Those results (that kicked off this whole thing) were such that it led them to assume Henry might have leukemia (there are two types that present this way). They wanted to rule that out, which is why the bone marrow test was ordered. Other symptoms, like the rash, didn't show up until day three at the hospital.
Phew. I'm tired. We're just hoping for stronger numbers and a healthy kid.
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