How is Max?

We get this question a lot. Max is actually doing really well. Although he's sick inside he still acts just like a normal three-year-old. He loves to play pretend and run around and watch movies the same as he always has. He's also been very accepting of all the testing he's had to go through lately. Occasionally his toys need to have blood tests too and they always feel better after "visiting the hospital."

Max is bruising easily now and is prone to easy and prolonged bleeding. We need to keep an eye out for him so he doesn't hurt himself. (Low platelet count means that his blood does not have the natural clotting abilities most of us possess.) The possibility of internal bleeding does exist, which could potentially go unnoticed for dangerous amounts of time.

He also occasionally needs to "take a little rest" if he gets winded, but he is right back at it a minute later. I originally thought these "rests" were part of the playing since the breaks are so short-lived. (Low red blood cell count means he isn't moving as much oxygen as he could be.) I suspect he does feel a little blah as a result of the low red count, perhaps a bit like having the flu all the time.

I think one of the more obvious affects on Max has been at the social level. We've had to pull him out of preschool, he can't go to playgroup, and his friends can't come to visit. (Low white blood cell count means he has a compromised immune system. He would not be able to fight off any infections if he got exposed.) He really misses his friends and the fun things he used to do in class and in playgroup. We do our best to keep him entertained but our options are limited. He can't come shopping with us either, so just getting chores done can be complicated sometimes.

So how is Max? He's a brave little man and he's doing just great!

-Josh