Low, Low, Low

For the past week, Ian has had really low platelet counts. Everything else is still low, so he still has anemia, low red blood cells, low white blood cells (around 2500, normal is 4500-10,000), but the platelets are the real concern. Normal platelets are 150-400. Ian's were 35 last Tuesday and have been coming down and it was 25 yesterday. Because of the low platelets, Ian hasn't taken the Gleevec since last Wednesday, to try to get his counts to go up, which they really haven't. So far, besides getting Ian off the Gleevec, the doctor has just had Ian get his blood tested lots. He did it last Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Yesterday, and he'll have another one tomorrow. They're keeping a really close eye on his platelets because if they get lower than 20, he is at risk for spontaneous bleeding since platelets are what helps blood clot. Even right now he is at risk for really bad bruises from minor bumps, or even hemorrhaging if he hits something a little harder. It sounds really bad, but the doctor doesn't really seem to be as concerned, so it probably isn't as bad as my nursing training tells me it is. If one of my patients in the hospital had a platelet count of 25, something would be done. I'm sure Dr. Rich knows what he's doing though. Ian has an appointment tomorrow, and of course, more labs, so we'll see.