Caitlin's count...say what?!!

Wow, nothing could have prepared me for the count we got today!!! Caitlin and I were playing the guessing game when the nurse came in the lobby to give us the news. Caitlin guessed 104K and I guess about 175K and said I didn't know but definitely over 100K. We knew it was somewhat higher because Caitlin hit herself hard at the end of the coffee table (wooden) and barely even got a bruise even though it hurt! Caitlin's count was 402K!!!! She's never even once stepped into the normal range with different treatments! Her highest cound ever was 135K! So...due to her being on the trial, they have strict guidelines to follow and anything over 400K means no shot. Next week, if she is between 200-400, then they will reduce her dosage. If she falls below 200K, then she will get the same dose, which is the maximum dose. I hope she is either between 200-400 because I want them to reduce her dose. I don't want to play the "yo-yo" game where she drops below 200, gets the max, then goes up again over 400, then no dose, and the same pattern happens. Anyways, I am so happy because finally, something is working since she's had counts below 20 for the most part since Dec. 15th! (Still want to get her within the reasonable target goal and I'm more comfortable with 30-100)

Whooop, Whoop, Whoop!!!! That is a GOOD result. Presumably she will be spending the next few days doing all the things she shouldn't normally do. Hope it works out ok for next week too.

Ali

Wow!!! That's great to hear!!

Ali...I actually set up a private lesson with Caitlin to work with her coach tonight to work on her "layout twist", or sometimes called a "full" in tumbling. Caitlin was beaming when I told her I would set this up for her. She already knows how to do it but needs to work on making it neater with better form and it has been too dangerous for her to do with low counts. She and one other girl on the entire team are the only ones who can do it and the other one will turn 17 soon. Caitlin's goal is to be on a "Level 5" team next year which is the same level that college cheerleaders perform at. She's had several coaches offer her free tuition to join their gyms but I only trust her gym because she has been there so long and they are fully aware of her condition. (Not trying to brag or anything, but she's that good and it is sad that ITP has to limit her!) She's been asked several times to be on a gymnastics team too, but I've always felt that the uneven bars and the beam would be a bit dangerous for her.

I was thinking you might have done something along those lines. Hope that it stays up high for long enough that she can master the niceties of the move!

:silly: Wow, that is awesome! I hope they stay up for her. I would be a little worried with no shot.

Donna...I'm a little worried too with no shot, which is why I set up the private lesson for today. At least today, I'm assured that her counts are high enough.

Caitlin had alot of tingling in her arms and legs last week and I asked the study coordinator if this was from Nplate and she didn't "think" so, but is documenting it just in case it needs to be reported as an "adverse effect". Caitlin was also pretty sick last week, but is finally better after battling a bad cold (coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose but NO fever) for 10 days. She's still coughing a little but is so much better. Didn't take her to the dr because the school nurse told me that most kids were fighting a virus that causes an upper respiratory infection and they didn't give antibiotics for that. I decided to just treat her symptoms with OTC meds and lots of fluids and rest rather than pay the dr about $90 to tell me that. (If it gets worse or comes back, I will take her though.)