Bad News ...

I took Ethan to the doctor today to get his adenoids checked, as suggested by the pulmonary doctor. The PCM put in an ENT consult and also asked us to go get his blood drawn at the lab to check for iron deficiency. Five minutes after Mike and Ethan walked in the door from getting his blood taken, the doctor called. Ethan's white blood cell count is 10 times lower than normal .. his immune system is down and even the slightest cold could be very bad for him right now. I take him back Tuesday for another blood test. If the blood count is the same or lower, he will more than likely be given antibiotics and then another blood draw on Thursday. If his count is still not up, we will be sent immediately to the hematologist.
We are to keep him away from other children for now, out of school and away from playgroups until this is figured out next week. Catching a simple cold from a kid with sniffles would not be good.
Best case scenario, he has a suppressed viral infection causing this ... I cannot bring myself to discuss worse case right now. As you can probably understand, Mike and I are terrified, nervous, scared and very emotional, but trying to think positive and stay strong so that Ethan does not worry. We have not told him anything ( he obviously knows nothing about blood counts, etc). The condition is called "neutropenia". Please keep him in your prayers ... we will update Tuesday!