Landon's health

As I've stated on the blog several times before, Landon has these reoccurring episodes of fever. There usually are no other symptoms, just the fever. Every once in a while he'll have a rash, but usually just the fever for a few days. They have become VERY common during the past six months - seven times. About once every 3-4 weeks. Since he had another spell this weekend I took him to see his doctor this afternoon for some blood work, even though he had been fever free since Sunday morning. I was so terrified of the afternoon, not only because I was so afraid of how they were planning on drawing blood from this kid who already is scared to death of the doctor's office, but I was also terrified about what we were going to face today.

You know, the Internet can be a great resource, but it can also be your worst enemy. My imagination already has a tendency to go to extremes when dealing with the unknown.

Anyways, after today the doctor seems to think the problem might be with his white blood cells. He did some blood work to try and determine if these infections come at a time of low white counts; he's pretty sure they do. So today he wanted to determine if his white count was down consistently or variably. As they were doing the lab tests I prayed really hard that his count was up today since he was fever-free, because I know what road the consistently low white blood cell count would take us down, and I'm not sure I can handle that.

Well, good news was his count was up in the normal range today. So, no cancer or anything like that!!!!!! The doc thinks that his white blood cell counts go down in cycles, which would explain his fevers on a pretty consistent cycle of 3-4 weeks (almost 21-25 days like clock work). He won't know any thing else for sure until he can get a blood sample at the first sign of a fever (which will probably happen in 3 weeks - the first week of school!). As soon as we suspect a spike in his temperature, we are supposed to get him to the doctor so he can check his blood levels. We will know more then, but for now the doctor thinks that Landon might have Cyclic Neutropenia. Here's a short definition:

Cyclic neutropenia is a rare blood disorder characterized by recurrent episodes
of abnormally low levels of certain white blood cells (neutrophils) in the body.
Neutrophils are instrumental in fighting off infection by surrounding and
destroying bacteria that enter the body. Symptoms associated with cyclic
neutropenia may include fever, a general feeling of ill health (malaise), and/or
sores (ulcers) of the mucous membranes of the mouth. In most cases, individuals
with low levels of neutrophils (neutropenia) are abnormally susceptible to
recurrent infections.

This is something for which there is no cure, but treatment and/or meds to help lessen the effects. Most children grow out of it by the age of 10-18.

I'll keep you updated on his status when we find out more. For now we are just in a holding pattern until he gets sick again.

Prayers are welcome!!!