One of the things every mom
would want to make for her child is to be sure that he's growing healthy. The
hardest part of motherhood for me is when my children are sick especially when
they are still so young. Infants couldn't tell if something is painful or
wrong with them. We moms just feel when something isn't right with them.
It is sweet to have a baby
in the house. They gave such joy and vibrant feeling in the home. But I tell you they grow very fast, that at times we'd wish
that they'll stay as babies that we can cuddle for longer more time. In
our case, hearing from the doctor that our baby isn't growing right made me so
worried. Every day I would pray to God for miracles to touch my baby's
body so he'll thrive and grow as fast as he can. What an irony! This journey wasn't easy to accept. We've been
through a lot of specialists to consult about his health to make his condition better.
After months of work-ups and series
of laboratory examinations, there are no significant laboratory findings rather than his
anemia. He has low red blood cell and hemoglobin count. Healthy red
blood cells are the ones who carry oxygen and nutrients for the nourishment of our body cells - the smallest unit of our body.
So once the red blood cells are impaired it can cause retarded cell growth affecting all our bodily functions. A
number of reasons causes anemia. We had to consult a pediatric
hematologist for EJ's case. We are blessed to have one good doctor just
near our place.
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| Normal appearanc of RBCs under a microscope |
The doctor needs to look at his
peripheral blood smear. I had an idea how it should normally look like under a
microscope. A normal red blood cell looks like a donut; it has a central
pallor. See the above photo. Any difference would mean abnormal results.
EJ's peripheral blood smear shows slightly microcytic rbcs (slightly small in size), hypochromia (rbcs with lesser color because of low hemoglobin content), fragmented rbcs (broken cells), target
cells (the central area has colored pigment) and crenated rbcs (this case can also be due to technical factors). This type of peripheral blood smear is typically seen in Iron
Deficiency Anemia and Thalassemia. Our doctor told me not to worry or
think further of our baby's condition. We will first consider Iron Deficiency
Anemia and see how he will respond with iron treatment. He was given high
dose of iron supplement and Vitamin C. Vitamin C will aid the body's absorption
of iron. According to our doctor, patient should respond to iron therapy
after two months but there are also cases as based in her experience that it takes four
months to see more improved results.
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| Target Cells - Note of the colored central area |
At times I don't know if I should be thankful that I am a Medical Technologist. A pro is that I can better understand what my child condition is. Cons are I go too far and end up worried thinking about my son's health. One thing I need to keep in mind is to be still and put hope on God because I know He's in control of everything. Though there are times I don't understand why we have to go through this kind of experience. It does hurt me so much and I do ask God why? In the Hematologist Clinic I see a lot of children undergoing chemotherapy their hairs are gone due to treatments and my heart breaks to see them and do feel their pain. In the part of the parents I know it is not easy to help their children fight to continue living. It is a real life's battle every day and fight to live. Having me go through this understands how hard it is for parents when children go through difficult times like terrible diseases. If I could only take and bear that pain and disease I could have done it for my child.
EJ is finished his one
month iron therapy. His recent blood test is still below normal levels
but better than the previous. We are still hoping his condition is going to
improve with iron therapy only. He showed good weight gain and is
achieving his developmental milestones in time. Since then he continued to be a very happy baby giving our home with so much fun and laughter. Everyday we need God's grace to continue and in this time of situation God taught me to give Him thanks not only for the good things that happen in our life but also in times that I don't understand His ways because He is God. I guess wouldn't be this close to Him if my life is easy and goes just the way I want it to be.
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