A blood disorder, but it could be worse

Last week at Ella’s 1-year checkup I informed my doctor that my husband has a blood disorder called spherocytosis. I had always meant to mention it at other checkups, but since she was such a happy, quickly-developing, healthy-seeming baby, it just never really crossed my mind. Plus it’s just something that we rarely think about. Occasionally my husband gets really tired and sleeps all day. He also seems to get sick more often and for longer than me. For years I kinda just thought he exaggerating his condition to get out of housework. But I have talked to his family a lot about it. I’m pretty sure they don’t care about getting Steve out of housework, so I guess it’s legit.

Anyway, they said they would look for this condition when they did her labwork. What defines this condition is sphere-shaped red blood cells. Usually they are disc shaped and stronger. OK, enough medical talk. The doctor said that if she had this disorder she would personally call me, if not the nurse would.

Later that evening I get the call. It’s the nurse. Thank god. Although she says, well Ella is slightly anemic. She has low iron. And she does have some sphere shaped cells. Oh no. She does have it. My stomach sank. I really really hoped it would just skip her. The Internet said she had a 50/50 chance of getting it.

As the news sunk in I had so many questions. What does this mean? What can we do? How bad will she have it? Steve’s dad and brother also have it but have never really felt symptoms.

Just minutes after the news my in-laws arrived. They were on their way home from a visit with their other child and grandchildren and stopped to stay the night.

We discussed the news with them. Then my mother-in-law made my heart sink with this statement, “Steve almost died from mono in high school because of the blood disease.”

I didn’t sleep well that night.

Turns out Steve’s mono did cause his spleen to be enlarged. The spleen is already working harder with this condition. So, they scheduled a splenectomy. Only they made the date months in advance. Steve was in a play and had spring break, things he didn’t want to miss. By the time they went to remove his spleen it was huge. It could have easily been ruptured and caused internal bleeding.

So, I think that a. it’s a mistake to put off something like that and b. knowledge is power and now that we know Ella could have spleen or other issues we will look for them. So, I’m feeling much better about the whole thing.

And we met with a pediatric hematologist today, who was located in a cancer unit, putting things into perspective even more. There were several children there who had lost all their hair due to cancer. I can’t imagine. I was dreading this second visit to have Ella’s blood drawn, I can’t imagine watching your kid suffer through chemotherapy.

The doctor told us about the disorder – or anemia – actually. And I feel a lot better about it. And actually we don’t even know for sure if she has it. A test is being done to confirm that and we’ll know in a few weeks.

But basically if she does it will mean if she has a severe case, she may have fatigue maybe even have to have her spleen removed someday. But people do it. The doctor said sometimes it’s like a rite a passage in some families. They all get their spleen removed at age 21! But I’m optimistic that like Steve’s dad and brother, she won’t even have symptoms. She’ll also get an extra vaccine when she’s two and maybe go on folic acid.

And now for a really serious topic. Rock of Love. Did anyone see that last episode where Bret Michaels kept finding out more about Daisy? Loved it! How many more secrets can she have? So far he’s discovered she was a stripper, had an abortion and still lives with her boyfriend! She’s becoming a blubbering mess too. For some reason I like her though. Under those fake lips, fake nose and fake boobs, there’s kinda something sweet about her. I do wish he’d give Destiny the boot. That girl has a serious attitude problem. Ambre seems cool, but she always strikes me as playing dressup. She looks like a cheerleader not a rockstar groupie. Maybe I’m wrong. Previews show that in the next episode he’s going to find out she’s 37, instead of 31 like she said. Can’t wait! Don’t judge me, Internet. It’s been a tough week!