E-fficient

Jordan had his 26th transfusion of platelets yesterday, and his 19th transfusion of packed red blood cells today. Monday's LDH level was 4,000 (200 is normal); today it rose to 7,662. In the spirit of knowing the enemy, here's a little about lactate dehydrogenase, LDH. It's one of a group of enzymes found in the blood and other body tissues and involved in energy production in cells. An increased amount of LDH in the blood may be a sign of tissue damage and some types of cancer or other diseases. More specifically, a substance released by tumors and found in the blood. So, we're sending our prayers up, asking for it to go down.

In another twist, the doctor now says that the pain is probably due to the rhabdomyosarcoma, or whatever it is, rather than the Neupogen injections. It has lasted too long and is too intense to be attributed to typical Neupogenic bone pain. The last injection was given a week ago. Unless there is a change for the better, we won't be able to make the trip to Seattle.

Our friend, Jane, came up with a brilliant idea though. Telemedicine! This is the 21st century, docs, act like it. and get connected - by phone, video, satellite, Skype, whatever it takes. Harness the e-miracle of e-medicine for Jordan, and for e-veryone. Like, tomorrow morning, please.