My four-year-old daughter has a blood disorder

[Danger Mouse]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.

[Morg]

Sorry to hear that DM, my best to you and family

[Dr Doom]

THAT SUCKS, EVERYBODY'S FAMILY MEMBERS ARE SICK :(

[Danger Mouse]

Sorry to hear that DM, my best to you and family
Thank you.

[Elijya]

what's thalassemic

my heart goes out to you and her, buddy :(

[Kritish]

Sorry to hear that dude, hope she gets better.

[oakzap425]

...:( My day just got worse...


Danger, my thread-molesting-buddy, I hope every thing is going to go okay with your thread-molester-in-training...


:(

[Arsh]

Good luck with your kid. Disorders suck. A lot.

[rodhulk]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.I hope things aren't as bad as they might be.

I wish you, your family, and your daughter the best.

[Carter]

Sorry to hear that

[kypade]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.
That sucks, man. she looks like a great kid; i'll definitely do that. :(

[Superman4ever]

DM, you and your family are definitely in my prayers, my brother! :(

Hopefully (or I pray that), the initial diagnosis is incorrect.

what's thalassemic

my heart goes out to you and her, buddy :(

It's a genetic disorder that causes underproduction of hemoglobin and RBCs.

[Man-Thing]

Done...

My continued prayers to your daugter.

[War Lord]

Absolutely.

We all hope for the best.

[War Lord]

For those who need to know.

Thalassemic - An inherited form of anemia occurring chiefly among people of Mediterranean descent, caused by faulty synthesis of part of the hemoglobin molecule.

[Pickle-El]

Sorry to hear about this, no one child should ever have to experience that. Wish you the best of luck.

[Drakon]

Man, My thoughts and hopes are with her.

[Black Panther]

sorry to hear that DM buddy :(

ill include her in my prayers.
best of luck.

[Dew k. Mosi]

If left untreated, thalassemia can cause heart failure, but with a program of periodic blood transfusions and proper medications to prevent the accumulation of iron in the heart and liver, her quality of life should be minimally affected. She just will never get to eat cookies and drink orange juice at the high school blood drive, that's all, and her husband to be will have to get blood tested to make sure he does not have the same genetic disorder so as not to have complications with procreation.

[Batman1939]

gosh dm i feel very sorry for you.

[Death Service]

It's been said before... but, I'm sorry to hear that DM. I remember you posting pictures of your daughter, and she's absolutely adorable. Good luck with the treatment; little kids can be amazingly strong.

[Kaleb]

:( I didnt want to wake up to this, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family . :(

[C. Lee]

DM and I talk a lot (when my work schedual allows)....and I knew he was awaiting the blood test results from her being hospitalized last week.....I'm extremely saddened to hear what they came up with.

You know Carla and I send our love and prayers, bud.

[lazur]

She's in my prayers, DM. I wish you all the hope and luck in the world.

[Erzengel]

My thoughts and prayers go out to you DM. I hope everything works out well.

[Spider-Man Luvr28]

Hope your daughter gets better. My thoughts go out to you.:)

[blueyedgypsy]

If left untreated, thalassemia can cause heart failure, but with a program of periodic blood transfusions and proper medications to prevent the accumulation of iron in the heart and liver, her quality of life should be minimally affected. She just will never get to eat cookies and drink orange juice at the high school blood drive, that's all, and her husband to be will have to get blood tested to make sure he does not have the same genetic disorder so as not to have complications with procreation.

I think it depends on the severity and type...probably not the best idea to minimize this.

[Kessel Day]

i'm very sorry to hear about this, DM. your little daughter will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[sinewave]

my sympathies. good luck to you and your family.

[ShadowBoxing]

my heart goes out to you and your daughter....I hope everything works out in the end

[jaguarr]

All my prayers, good thoughts and healing energy for your daughter, DM.

jag

[twylight]

If left untreated, thalassemia can cause heart failure, but with a program of periodic blood transfusions and proper medications to prevent the accumulation of iron in the heart and liver, her quality of life should be minimally affected. She just will never get to eat cookies and drink orange juice at the high school blood drive, that's all, and her husband to be will have to get blood tested to make sure he does not have the same genetic disorder so as not to have complications with procreation.




Thalassemia
The fundamental abnormality in thalassemia is impaired production of either the alpha or beta hemoglobin chain. Thalassemia is a difficult subject to explain, since the condition is not a single disorder, but a group of defects with similar clinical effects. More confusion comes from the fact that the clinical descriptions of thalassemia were coined before the molecular basis of the thalassemias were uncovered. As a result, the organizational structure is somewhat disorderly. Review of thalassemia is best approached by separately examining its genetic basis and clinical expression.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Genetic Classification of the Thalassemias
Thalassemia(1) includes disorders affecting the alpha hemoglobin chain genes and the beta hemoglobin chain gene (see Hemoglobin Overview for explanation of alpha and beta chains).

Alpha Thalassemia

Alpha thalassemia occurs when one or more of the four alpha chain genes fails to function. Alpha chain protein production, for practical purposes, is evenly divided among the four genes. With alpha thalassemia, the "failed" genes are almost invariably lost from the cell due to a genetic accident.
(i) The loss of one gene diminishes the production of the alpha protein only slightly. This condition is so close to normal that it can be detected only by specialized laboratory techniques that, until recently, were confined to research laboratories. A person with this condition is called a "silent carrier" because of the difficulty in detection.

(ii) The loss of two genes (two-gene deletion alpha thalassemia) produces a condition with small red blood cells, and at most a mild anemia. People with this condition look and feel normal. The condition can be detected by routine blood testing, however.

(iii) The loss of three alpha genes produces a serious hematological problem (three-gene deletion alpha thalassemia). Patients with this condition have a severe anemia, and often require blood transfusions to survive. The severe imbalance between the alpha chain production (now powered by one gene, instead of four) and beta chain production (which is normal) causes an accumulation of beta chains inside the red blood cells. Normally, beta chains pair only with alpha chains. With three-gene deletion alpha thalassemia, however, beta chains begin to associate in groups of four, producing an abnormal hemoglobin, called "hemoglobin H". The condition is called "hemoglobin H disease". Hemoglobin H has two problems. First it does not carry oxygen properly, making it functionally useless to the cell. Second, hemoglobin H protein damages the membrane that surrounds the red cell, accelerating cell destruction. The combination of the very low production of alpha chains and destruction of red cells in hemoglobin H disease produces a severe, life-threatening anemia. Untreated, most patients die in childhood or early adolescence.

(iv) The loss of all four alpha genes produces a condition that is incompatible with life. The gamma chains produced during fetal life (see Hemoglobin Overview) associate in groups of four to form an abnormal hemoglobin called "hemoglobin Barts". Most people with four-gene deletion alpha thalassemia die in utero or shortly after birth. Rarely, four gene deletion alpha thalassemia has been detected in utero, usually in a family where the disorder occured in an earlier child. In utero blood transfusions have saved some of these children. These patients require life-long transfusions and other medical support.


Beta Thalassemia

The fact that there are only two genes for the beta chain of hemoglobin makes beta thalassemia a bit simpler to understand than alpha thalassemia (2). Unlike alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia rarely arises from the complete loss of a beta globin gene. The beta globin gene is present, but produces little beta globin protein. The degree of suppression varies. Many causes of suppressed beta globin gene expression have been found. In some cases, the affected gene makes essentially no beta globin protein (beta-0-thalassemia). In other cases, the production of beta chain protein is lower than normal, but not zero (beta-(+)-thalassemia). The severity of beta thalassemia depends in part on the type of beta thalassemic genes that a person has inherited.

(i) one-gene beta thalassemia has one beta globin gene that is normal, and a second, affected gene with a variably reduced production of beta globin. The degree of imbalance with the alpha globin depends on the residual production capacity of the defective beta globin gene. Even when the affected gene produces no beta chain, the condition is mild since one beta gene functions normally. The red cells are small and a mild anemia may exist. People with the condition generally have no symptoms. The condition can be detected by a routine laboratory blood evaluation. (Note that in many ways, the one-gene beta thalassemia and the two-gene alpha thalassemia are very similar, from a clinical point of view. Each results in small red cells and a mild anemia).

(ii) two-gene beta thalassemia produces a severe anemia and a potentially life-threatening condition. The severity of the disorder depends in part on the combination of genes that have been inherited: beta-0-thal/ beta-0-thal; beta-0-thal/ beta-(+)-thal; beta-(+)-thal/ beta-(+)-thal. The beta-(+)-thalassemia genes vary greatly in their ability to produce normal hemoglobin. Consequently, the clinical picture is more complex than might otherwise be the case for three genetic possibilities outlined.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clinical Classification of the Thalassemias
Alpha thalassemia

Alpha thalassemia has four manifestations, that correlate with the number of defective genes. Since the gene defect is almost invariably a loss of the gene, there are no "shades of function" to obscure the matter as occurs in beta thalassemia.
(i) Silent carrier state. This is the one-gene deletion alpha thalassemia condition. People with this condition are hematologically normal. They are detected only by sophisticated laboratory methods.

(ii) Mild alpha-thalassemia. These patients have lost two alpha globin genes.They have small red cells and a mild anemia. These people are usually asymptomatic. Often, physicians mistakenly diagnose people with mild alpha-thalassemia as having iron deficiency anemia. Iron therapy, of course, does not correct the anemia.

(iii) Hemoglobin H disease. These patients have lost three alpha globin genes. The result is a severe anemia, with small, misshapen red cells and red cell fragments. These patients typically have enlarged spleens. Bony abnormalities particularly involving the cheeks and forehead are often striking. The bone marrow works at an extraordinary pace in an attempt to compensate for the anemia. As a result, the marrow cavity within the bones is stuffed with red cell precursors. These cells gradually cause the bone to "mold" and flair out. Patients with hemoglobin H disease also develop large spleens. The spleen has blood forming cells, the same as the bone marrow. These cells become hyperactive and overexpand, just as those of the bone marrow. The result is a spleen that is often ten-times larger than normal. Patients with hemoglobin H disease often are small and appear malnourished, despite good food intake. This feature results from the tremendous amount of energy that goes into the production of new red cells at an extremely accelerated pace. The constant burning of energy by these patients mimics intense aerobic exercise; exercise that goes on for every minute of every day.

(iv) Hydrops fetalis. This condition results from the loss of all four alpha globin genes. The affected individual usually succumbs to the severe anemia and complications before birth.


Beta thalassemia

(i) Thalassemia minor, or thalassemia trait. These terms are used interchangeably for people who have small red cells and mild (or no) anemia due to thalassemia. These patients are clinically well, and are usually only detected through routine blood testing. Physicians often mistakenly diagnose iron deficiency in people with thalassemia trait. Iron replacement does not correct the condition. The primary caution for people with beta-thalassemia trait involves the possible problems that their children could inherit if their partner also has beta-thalassemia trait. These more severe forms of beta-thalassemia trait are outlined below.

(ii) Thalassemia intermedia. Thalassemia intermedia is a confusing concept. The most important fact to remember is that thalassemia intermedia is a description, and not a pathological or genetic diagnosis. Patients with thalassemia intermedia have significant anemia, but are able to survive without blood transfusions. The factors that go into the diagnosis are:


The degree to which the patient tolerates the anemia.

The threshold of the physician to transfuse patients with thalassemia.
With regard to the tolerance of the anemia, most patients with thalassemia have substantial symptoms with a Hb of much below 7 or 8 gm/dl. With hemoglobins of this level, excess energy consumption due to the profound hemolysis can produce small stature, poor weight gain, poor energy levels, and susceptibility to infection. Further, the extreme activity of the bone marrow produces bone deformities of the face and other areas, along with enlargement of the spleen. The long bones of the arms and legs are weak and fracture easily. Patients with this clinical condition usually do better with regular transfusions. The need for regular transfusions would then place them under the heading of thalassemia major (see below). On the other hand, some patients with marked thalassemia can maintain a hemoglobin of about 9 to 10 gm/dl. The exercise tolerance of these patients is significantly better. The question then becomes whether the accelerated bone marrow activity needed to maintain this level of hemoglobin causes unacceptable side-effects such as bone abnormalities or enlarged spleen. This is a judgment decision. A given patient at the critical borderline would be transfused by some physicians to prevent these problems, even if they are slight. The patient then would be clinically classified as having thalassemia major. Another physician might choose to avoid the complications of chronic transfusion. The same patient then would be clinically classified as thalassemia intermedia. The patient has thalassemia that is more severe than thalassemia trait, but not so severe as to require chronic transfusion as do the patients with thalassemia major.
A patient can change status. The spleen is enlarged in these patients. The spleen plays a role in clearing damaged red cells from the blood stream. Since all of the red cells in patients with severe thalassemia have some degree of damage, clearance by the spleen accelerates the rate of cell loss. Therefore the bone marrow has to work harder to replace these cells. In some patients, removal of the spleen slows the rate of red cell destruction just enough, that they can manage without transfusion, and still not have the unacceptable side-effects. In this case, the patient converts clinically from thalassemia major to thalassemia intermedia.

(iii) Thalassemia major. This is the condition of severe thalassemia in which chronic blood transfusions are needed (3). In some patients the anemia is so severe, that death occurs without transfusions. Other patients could survive without transfusions, for a while, but would have terrible deformities. While transfusions are life-saving in patients with thalassemia major, transfusions ultimately produce iron overload. Chelation therapy, usually with the iron-binding agent, desferrioxamine (Desferal), is needed to prevent death from iron-mediated organ injury.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relationship of the Genetic and Clinical Classifications of Thalassemia
The advent of modern molecular biology permits the genetic classification of thalassemias, outlined earlier in this document. A rough correlation exists between the clinical and genetic classifications. The relationship between genetics and clinical state is not absolute, however:
thalassemia trait (minor)- normal beta gene/ thalassemia gene ( beta zero or +)
thalassemia intermedia- often two beta-(+)-genes
thalassemia major- two beta-(+)-genes (where the plus is not substantial); beta-(+)-gene/ beta-0-gene; beta-0-gene/ beta-0-gene

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References
1. Giardina P, Hilgartner M. Update on thalassemia. Pediatr Rev 1992;13:55-62.

2.Rund, D Rachmilewitz, E. Thalassemia major 1995: older patients, new therapies. Blood Rev 1995; 9:25-32

3. Piomelli S, Loew T. Management of thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia). Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 1991;5:557-69.


[URL=http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/thalover.html] Harvard.edu[/QUOTE]

[Danger Mouse]

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

[War Lord]

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

Who's Jonty?

[GunBlade]

Glad everything is ok. Constant doses of folic acid isn't much after all. Anything is better than severe case..

I have a blood disorder myself and I feel pretty much normal.

[War Lord]

Glad everything is ok. Constant doses of folic acid isn't much after all. Anything is better than severe case..

I have a blood disorder myself and I feel pretty much normal.

Is it the kind of blood order that can only be filled during the dark of night?

[The Chairman]

Wow...sorry to hear that, Danger-Mouse. My prayers go out to you and your family.

[GunBlade]

Is it the kind of blood order that can only be filled during the dark of night?
If you're implying I'm a vampire..Yes. :o

[Danger Mouse]

Who's Jonty?
I dunno. Some d***head I used to know. Now I don't him anymore.. :(

Glad everything is ok. Constant doses of folic acid isn't much after all. Anything is better than severe case..

I have a blood disorder myself and I feel pretty much normal.
Thank you, dear. What blood disorder do you have?

Wow...sorry to hear that, Danger-Mouse. My prayers go out to you and your family.
Thank you very much.

[POWdER-man]

My thoughts are with you. There is nothing more sadder than seeing the life you brought into this world being affected with something like that...

Hug that child extra hard from this day forward and have consolation that it could have been much worse...

[Danger Mouse]

My thoughts are with you. There is nothing more sadder than seeing the life you brought into this world being affected with something like that...

Hug that child extra hard from this day forward and have consolation that it could have been much worse...
Thank you, kind sir. And I will.

[GunBlade]

Thank you, dear. What blood disorder do you have?




Iron-Deficiency Anemia, nothing too serious. I don't produce enough iron, so I take supplements. :)

[Danger Mouse]

Iron-Deficiency Anemia, nothing too serious. I don't produce enough iron, so I take supplements. :)
Glad it's nothing serious. :)

[GunBlade]

Bless my soul? I am touched. :(

[Danger Mouse]

Bless my soul? I am touched. :(
And I like to touch people.

[Tangled Web]

My prayers are with you, your daughter and your family.

[InsaneMembrane]

I know I'm late , but your daughter and your family are in my prayers.

[SpideyLad]

damn, I pray that she gets better. That sucks

[Drakon]

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

Bro, I know we don't talk as much as we used to, but you're still a good friend that I consider like family. You know I'm gonna keep your daughter in my thoughts and dreams til she is recovered. I'm just relieved it was nothing life threatening.

[Phantasm]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

No one should be subjected to such a thing.
:(

May she get better soon.
*hugs*

[redmarvel]

DM - sorry to hear/read that your daughter has medical problems, but I'm glad to hear/read that your daughter can treat her illness with Folic Acid and actually enjoys her medicine.

[TheSlag]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.

My prayers will be with you and your family. Hope it turns out OK.

[War Lord]

Danger Mouse, we are all happy that your daughter's situation is about as positive as it can get and that she'll likely have a happy and productive life.

If however the situation turns bad, can I have her room?

[Doogie_Howser1]

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

dude you didnt thank me.:( im dr.fear remember?

[twylight]

And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

You mock me. :o

You know you love it. :(

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

OH, DM!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/twylight/stuff/love71.gif

I'm so glad it isn't worse, I know you were worried about that.

*hugs* *kisses*

If I could fly...I'd already be there.

[Kaleb]

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.Im so happy for you Danger M. :up:

[BK]

Well glad everything has worked out for the best despite the disorder. :)

All I can add though is you should be careful of what she's doing as a teen. As I'm sure mostly everyone here knows, there are tons of occasions where teenaged girls keep their boyfriends from their parents. Let alone if they plan to go to third base or the homerun.

So, teach her now to report to you about every guy she's going to be even remotely romantic with. But not to a point where you just seem like a nagging, overprotective father. That just makes it worse and causes rebellion. :o

[The Amazing Lee]

I'm glad things are better or at least not as bad as you thought :):D

[Mr. Thing]

That's great that your daughter's doing good now, DM. :)

[Danger Mouse]

Thank you GunBlade, POWdER-man, Tangled Web, InsaneMembrane, SpideyLad, Phantasm, ANTHONYNASTI, Death Service (I missed you out the first round, sorry), redmarvel, TheSlag (the first person who ever said hi to me when I first joined), Doogie_Howser1, BK, The Amazing Lee, Mr. Thing.

If however the situation turns bad, can I have her room?
Ummm... okay... :(

[War Lord]

Thank you GunBlade, POWdER-man, Tangled Web, InsaneMembrane, SpideyLad, Phantasm, ANTHONYNASTI, Death Service (I missed you out the first round, sorry), redmarvel, TheSlag (the first person who ever said hi to me when I first joined), Doogie_Howser1, BK, The Amazing Lee, Mr. Thing.


Ummm... okay... :(

Great. Can you send it to me by express?

[Danger Mouse]

Great. Can you send it to me by express?
Whoa.. aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here? She's still sleeping in hers. You can have it in.... I dunno... 80 years?

[War Lord]

Whoa.. aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here? She's still sleeping in hers. You can have it in.... I dunno... 80 years?

I'll pay a premium for it if you can send it while she's in college.

[nosebleed.]

And I thought it was bad when I found out my 4 year old girl has asthma...thank God your daughter'll be okay but take care of your little girl and I'll pray for her and your fam.

[Master Chief]

Thank you, everyone, for the well wishes and kind words. And a special thanks to twylight for the amazing medical education which we definitely could not do without ;).

The doctor said that my daughter has beta-thalassemia trait (formerly known as thalassemia-minor), a disorder passed down from her mother, apparently. It's definitely something that she can live with as it's the most harmless form of thalassemia. She was lucky that I do not have thalassemia or she might have the severe variety on the account that her mother had it. If it's thalassemia severe, as opposed to thalassemia trait, then she'd be in a ****load of problems as Dew has rightly elucidated.

The only medication that she has to be on right now is a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy. Finally, a medicine that I do not have to resort to brutal measures to ensure that she takes it.

I've also been advised by the doctor to make sure she understands and remembers that she has the disorder so that she may inform her gynecologist when she's pregnant. Pregnant thalassemics have a specific regiment, it seems.

And it also seems that I have to screen ALL of her potential suitors with blood tests to make sure that the dudes are not thalassemic to avoid any unfortunate offsprings. On this note, I plan to keep a needle at home and draw blood from every boy she comes in contact with before they get too romantically involved. "You wanna date my daughter? Sure. Roll up your sleeve, please." I am soooooo gonna enjoy that. :D

Again, thanks for the thoughts, prayers and kind words. It is such an immense comfort to have friends such as you to help us go through this.

Thank you Morg, Dr Doom, Eli, Lord Siva, oaky, Arsh, rodhulk, Carter, keypade, Superman4ever, Man-Thing, jonty, Pickle-El, Drak, Darkness89, Dew, Batman1939, Death Service, Kaleb, Calvin and Carla, lazur, Erzengel, Spidermanluvr28, Zoe, KD, sinewave, ShadowBoxing, jaguarr, twy, Mike, DBella, everybody else who posts after this, and everybody else who had my daughter in their thoughts and prayers.

I am overwhelmed by this and I thank you.

Glad to read that it's not severely terrible, enjoy extracting blood from those poor young men's arms. :up:

[Danger Mouse]

Thank you nosebleed, MC. Appreciate it.

I'll pay a premium for it if you can send it while she's in college.
IT'S A DEAL! I'll draw up the necessary 90-page papers (and the obligatory fine prints) for you to sign.

[War Lord]

Thank you nosebleed, MC. Appreciate it.


IT'S A DEAL! I'll draw up the necessary 90-page papers (and the obligatory fine prints) for you to sign.

:up:

[unknownuser]

I am sorry to read about your daughter's condition Danger but also glad that it isn't majorly severe. She will be in my prayers regardless.

[Paradoxium]

I heard about this, had to come back briefly for a say. But I am glad it is not too bad, I had a cousin who dealt with the same thing.

Best of luck Danger Mouse and to your family too.

[Red]

Danger Mouse, i hope everything will be ok

[JLBats]

I heard about this, had to come back briefly for a say. But I am glad it is not too bad, I had a cousin who dealt with the same thing.

Best of luck Danger Mouse and to your family too.

He's baaaaack...

[Paradoxium]

Sorry not to keep your hopes too high, but no I am not "back". I am booking out soon to go somewhere else.

[JLBats]

Sorry to keep to keep your hopes high, but no I am not "back". I am booking out soon to go somewhere else.

Damn, cool to see you again though.

[Danger Mouse]

I am sorry to read about your daughter's condition Danger but also glad that it isn't majorly severe. She will be in my prayers regardless.
I heard about this, had to come back briefly for a say. But I am glad it is not too bad, I had a cousin who dealt with the same thing.

Best of luck Danger Mouse and to your family too.
Danger Mouse, i hope everything will be ok
Thank you, guys. Your thoughts mean a lot to me.

[SWAT]

"a constant dose of folic acid which, according to my daughter, tastes like candy"
Hehe, cute!

Good to hear that everything is OK :up:

[Danger Mouse]

Thanks. :up:

[Daisy]

Mr. Mouse, I'm happy to hear that things are not so serious as they may have first appeared. :)

And you know that you and your little one are always in my prayers.

[The Squirrel]

glad things aren't as bad as they first seemed.

[Death Service]

Death Service (I missed you out the first round, sorry)
I don't think you did... I guess I'm just forgettable. :O

[ScottyBBadd]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.

I will.

[Danger Mouse]

Mr. Mouse, I'm happy to hear that things are not so serious as they may have first appeared. :)

And you know that you and your little one are always in my prayers.
glad things aren't as bad as they first seemed.
I will.
Thanks, guys.

Daisy, LOVE your avatar, girl. :up:

[Superman]

Ive been meaning to get in here and send my best wishes for her but I haven't gotten to it till now.

You have my prayers.

[Danger Mouse]

Coming from the Man 0f Steel, I can't ask for more. :) Thank you.

[DBella]

Hey Danger Mouse,

I am so happy to know that her condition is not life threatening and that the medication is gonna help her. She's gonna grow up to be a heartbreaker and if I were you, I'd keep very close eyes on that PYT. ;)

My best wishes to you and family and big huggies for the lil one. :)

[Excel]

i watched this awhile back. any update?

[Spoarz™]

Hey Danger Mouse, I'm glad to hear the situation isn't anywhere near as bad as it could have been. My prayers are with you and your family.

A little faith goes a long way :) :up:

[pyromaniac]

She should be able to survive with all the strength of the prayers behind her.

Children can be remarkably resilient.

[CBGB]

Sorry about that man, hang in there!!!!!!!! atleast u have buddies by ur side!

[U.S War Machine]

Please pray for her. Thank you.Will Do :)

[Jplaya2023]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.

sorry man i hope she is doing fine

[Danger Mouse]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind thoughts. Appreciate it. :)

i watched this awhile back. any update?
Well, as long as she's on folic acid, she's fine. There's a marked improvement, said her doctor. There is no cure for thalassemia, but there's a way to manage it. And she's very much healthier than when she was first diagnosed for it.

Thank you, Excel, for your thoughts. Sorry for not responding to this sooner. Just got back from self-exile.

[War Lord]

Thank you, everyone, for your kind thoughts. Appreciate it. :)


Well, as long as she's on folic acid, she's fine. There's a marked improvement, said her doctor. There is no cure for thalassemia, but there's a way to manage it. And she's very much healthier than when she was first diagnosed for it. Thank you, Excel, for your thoughts.

Does Folic acid come from hair follicles?

[Danger Mouse]

Does Folic acid come from hair follicles?
Yes, they do. And the dandruff provides added protein. :up:

[The Female Torch]

She may be thalassemic. Her results are in and we're on the way to the doctor for further details.

Please pray for her. Thank you.

Thank you for letting us know...I will pray for your daughter

[Danger Mouse]

Thank you for letting us know...I will pray for your daughter
Thank you. Though I must point out that this thread is 7-months-old and she's made remarkable progress since then. :) Frankly, I'm quite surprised that this thread was resurrected.

Thanks, nonetheless.

[Abaddon]

What is the disorder exactly?

[War Lord]

Thank you. Though I must point out that this thread is 7-months-old and she's made remarkable progress since then. :) Frankly, I'm quite surprised that this thread was resurrected.

Thanks, nonetheless.

This thread was resurrected so she may live.

[The Female Torch]

Thank you. Though I must point out that this thread is 7-months-old and she's made remarkable progress since then. :) Frankly, I'm quite surprised that this thread was resurrected.

Thanks, nonetheless.

Uh snap, we suck :x

Sorry Dager Mouse

[War Lord]

Uh snap, we suck :x

Sorry Dager Mouse

Dager Mouse forgives you, but I don't know about Danger Mouse.

[user123456789]

Yes, they do. And the dandruff provides added protein. :up:

Beginnings of a bodybuilder right there ;).

[Danger Mouse]

What is the disorder exactly?
War Lord and Dew gave a rather encyclopedic explanation on page 1, supplemented by twylight's dissertation on page 2 (post #32).

Happy reading. :up:

[Abaddon]

I started dozing off halfway through twy's explanation but I got the gist.:o

[Danger Mouse]

I started dozing off halfway through twy's explanation but I got the gist.:o
You, too, huh? :(

[tzarinna]

I'm glad to hear she's doing better, bless her little heart.

[jaguarr]

Thank you. Though I must point out that this thread is 7-months-old and she's made remarkable progress since then. :) Frankly, I'm quite surprised that this thread was resurrected.

Thanks, nonetheless.

Glad she's on the upswing, bro. :up:

jag

[Mister J]

It's great that your little girl is doing well, DM. I'm glad to hear of the progress she's made.