My son Jordan called me in July of 2014 worried about how his gums were bleeding. He went for a blood test which came back with a note that read “No Platelets.” Jordan was immediately admitted at the nearest hospital where he was diagnosed with aplastic anemia aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… . The doctor carefully explained the disease and the planned treatment course.
Jordan needed to see his doctor daily for the first month of treatment, which included blood transfusions blood transfusions: A blood transfusion is a safe and common procedure. Most people who have a bone marrow failure disease like aplastic anemia, MDS or PNH will receive at least one blood transfusion. When you receive a blood transfusion, parts of blood from a donor are put into your bloodstream. This can help some… and platelets to sustain his health until his body recovered. He fought through a year of medical challenges like a champ and is now a graduate of George Washington University working for the public school system. I am overjoyed that, in spite of his diagnosis, he’s living life as he pleases, dealing with his issues one day at a time. Is that outlook any different because Jordan contracted this disease? Who can say, but my son the hero marches on, and I couldn’t be prouder.