Josef's Aplastic Anemia Journey...the beginning

My 4 year old son has been battling aplastic anemia since mid 2007. This is a slide show to share with others out there what the disease is, how a family can deal with it & some real life pictures of important parts of this diagnosis. I hope it is enlightening to you! God bless.

**FOR MORE information about Josef OR this disease, please visit www.JosefWood.com .**

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Education

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• aplastic
• anemia
• anemic
• low
• platelets
• hospital
• pediatric
• ward
• transfusions
• blood
• tests
• birthday
• cancer
• bone
• marrow
• disease
• immunosuppresive
• therapy
• ATG
• cyclosporin
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[angieskidney]

The CMV part really interests me as I just got CMV in 2007. Even though I am an adult, I have a low immune system. Does CMV itself cause Aplastic Anemia at all? So far I have just the red blood cell definciency Anemia (don't know the name of that kind) due to no Erythropoietin (EPO) being produced in my body.

Anyway thank you for sharing this warm and insightful video.

[troyshado]

"Aplastic" means "fail to create", "Anemia" means "lack of blood." Aplastic Anemia is when ALL 3 main bloodlines are effected. Sometimes when the body encounters a virus that it cannot handle, the marrow shuts down it's production to fight it.  Unfortanately, in some people the marrow can not re-start production once it shuts down, thus becoming viral induced AA. I am simply a mom explaining this, so seek more medical information if you're curious! :o)

[aznfreakie]

is tht similar to leukemia?

[troyshado]

Leukemia is when there are abnormal cells in the blood (white cells I believe.) Aplastic Anemia is when there is a LACK of blood all together. Both use transfusions but for different reasons...leukemic patients can actually get AA as a side-effect of their chemotherapy.

-just a mommy

[No1chelseafanx]

why does he have to wear a mask?

[troyshado]

It's called Neutropenia. When you have extremely LOW white blood cells, you are susceptable to germs that normal people'd have no problems with but that could kill you. It's protection.

[LeahLeeish]

Your son is very young and I'm very sorry you are going through this. To my understanding the younger the person is that has been diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, the greater they have of surviving.

Unfortunately, My son, William "Lewis" Puckette II, was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in December, 2010. He died from infections on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 12:28 p.m. He was 31 yrs. old and a fine young man. 

[coleenchuva]

please help my 12 year old younger sister, she is diagnosed of aplastic anemia. she needs to undergo platelets apheresis transfusion and it costs around 14,000,00 here in the Philippines. we don't have such large amount of peso. please. help her! contact me. here's my number.. # +639304083533

any amount will be graciously appreciated. she, thus far, prepares for bone marrow aspiration (BMA) Biopsy. please help.!

[shanthadeepa]

I really appreciate Parents of this kid....it touched my heart. Poor boy has gone through a lot. I will definitely keep this child in my prayers.

I know its hard to keep poking ....my dad expired of this in march of 2010. He gave up finally. He was old though - 77 yrs. I miss him a lot.....

[tknappp]

I have AA too. I had the same reaction to my ATG. I had to get ATG twice, once in 2004 and again in 2010. I hope you get better!

[yanelia78]

SO CUTE IT MADE ME CRY I HOPE HE GETS BETTER

[dwarftn1996]

My baby sis also has that too

[MrGuiandrade]

Hi, I am a BMT survivor since may 2008, i was diagnosed with SAA on march 2008, and had a few blood and many platelets transfusion since the doctor found out. Hopefuly my sister was a 100% match. Since the BMT i am completely well, all my blood acounts are normal. Hope your son to get well as soon as possible. We must never give up, keep fighting.

[JonasBrosAreSoCute]

Aww this is what my 10 year old cousin has. ):

[kellouuu]

I´m an optimist too !!! god job buddy !!

[tigerslaya123]

hey im 16 years old i was diagnosed with extremly severe aplastic anemia. i had no platelets and no white blood cells and had only 2.5 units of blood i lost most of that in one night. i played varsity football with it. they gave me two days to live because they saw several cancers and many infections. i sat there and denied that i was going to die in two days they checked and as i said the infections and cancers were gone and only this one remained. i was on the verge of dieing but never gave up