Monday morning Jordon's nurse stopped by to do his Monday blood draw. We had not heard back from any of the nurses so I assumed that his numbers were ok. After the visit to the court, we went out to eat. About that time I received a call from his nurse. I told her that I had hoped it was good news cause he had been out and about. I also told her I assumed that his numbers were ok since every other time he was neutropenic (no immune system) he had a fever. Well, she informed me otherwise. His A.N.C. (absolute neutrophil count) was 91. Normal is above 2000, and anything under 500 is at severe risk of infection. So we blew that, ignorance is bliss I suppose. She also told me that his platelets were 38. Normal platelet range is 150-400 (150,000-400,000). Jordon was 148 during his Thursday blood draw last week. This means he has dropped significantly in 4 days. The suggested that he have another blood draw Tuesday to see if he needed a platelet transfusion. They typically don't transfuse until platelets are below 10 (10,000) or 20 with symptoms. They also told us that we needed to be at the hospital by 3 pm if they were to give him a transfusion. Well, Tuesday Jordon's nurse came around 11 am. After her visit we hopped in the car, assuming that he would need a transfusion and we knew the three hour drive would put us there around 2. Nearly half way there, we got a phone call that his results were back and they had shown that his platelets didn't drop that much (they were 34) and we needed to turn around. Again they suggested that Jordon have another blood draw on Thursday to determine if he needs platelets.
Tuesday night Jordon started showing signs of nasal congestion. Before bed, and after his shot, I took his temperature. It showed 99.6. Typically in the past if Jordon has any temperature it climbs in the night. About an hour later Jordon came into our room and showed us that his temperature was 100.3. I immediately made a call to Children's. One because we KNEW he was neutropenic and two because he had been out and about. The doctor on call assured me that 100.3 was not what they would consider a "fever" and to keep rechecking his temperature every couple of hours. He suggested that we come in if Jordon had two 100.5 fevers two hours apart or one 101.5, or if he had any other symptoms. Of course each doctor has their own "act upon" number, but they consistently see that anything under 100.5 does not result in anything serious. He also told me that if we went into the emergency room he WOULD be transported to Children's and they WOULD keep him for atleast 2 days since he was neutropenic. So as a mother, I had to use my instinct. Motherly instinct can seem so obscure during each new thing with cancer. It is almost as if everything I developed over the fast passing years as a mother are gone or I am starting at the beginning. But fortunately I have prayer, and of course when I need to I can talk to Him at ANY time and He is there. Every 2 hours waking up to take Jordon's temperature He is there. He is always available waiting for me to call upon Him. He always has time for us and never turns us away.
So that night, I allowed Jordon to sleep with me and checked his temperature every couple of hours. It never got above 100.3 and was 99.6 most of the time through the night. He woke up Wednesday morning without a fever and was able to go about the day, eating well, drinking well, and feeling well.
Thursday came and so did the nurse. Afternoon they called and said that his A.N.C. was 518 (no longer neutropenic but still at risk). His platelets were holding steady just above 30 so the much anticipated trip to Children's will not happen this time. In fact Jordon's numbers are trending up so we will continue to pray for his health and to set a new record of three weeks straight at home without illness or need for transfusions.
Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
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