Neutropenia and Teeth Problems

Severely neutropenic people can develop teeth problems, and that's just what we didn't need! Prior to this blood issue, Brooke still had two cavities that needed fixed and a wisdom tooth with a hole in it that needs to be extracated. Dentists won't touch her until the blood issues are resolved. And neutropenia causes additional dental problems. We can't win! Over the last three months, Brooke has had 3 more teeth pop up with cavities or fillings that are falling out and she has inflamed gums that bleed any time you brush her teeth. I was showing my mom the awful state of her gums yesterday when she noticed an abcess. I have never seen one. The tooth below the abcess is now loose because of the abcess. So I immediatly went about trying to find someone to help us. Dr. Luu was out town, so I called two other doctors who were also out of the office. I knew I couldn't take her to urgent care or to the ER, so I did what comes pretty natural to me these days...I started crying. Out of desperation, I called our dentist in Albuquerque who (to my knowledge) is not even open on Fridays. She was there! She was very sweet, and helpful and even called the Hematologist to visit with him about Brooke's teeth. She called me back and told me she had called in an antibiotic and a special mouth rinse to use while brushing. Thank goodness!!! She asked to see Brooke for an evaluation on Wednesday. Brooke's going to love us for that. And to have to do it cold turkey (without sedation)...ugh.

Then, as if Dr. Libby sensed he better return a call to me or else I'd keep calling every day until he did...he finally called. He answered the three questions I had regarding the bone marrow test on Wednesday. "Yes, she will be completely asleep. No, she won't feel anything, and no, she will not have any memory of it." THANK GOODNESS. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. That was really weighing on me heavy.

I believe I'm on to something...think I've figured out how to communicate with doctors. CRY! Just let her rip!!! I bawled to the dentist and then bawled again to the hematologist and managed to have everything work just the way it needed to (for a change). Dr. Libby was very kind and even complimented me on being a good mother. I appreciate that, but I told him that it's very frustrating not to be able to do anything to help your child. Is healthcare this complicated for everyone? Why is that??

On a positive note, Brooke looks better today than she has the past several days. She's had a slight cough that I haven't noticed as much today. The antibiotic should help that. She's more rested and her eyes are bright again. She's still looking forward to seeing Mickey Mouse in June. We keep this as our focal point to keep our minds on something positive and fun. Thank you Ken, Sharon, and Debbie and Buddy for the Mickey treats! We appreciate the continued prayers, the kind words, and the thoughts. Please keep them coming!!! Wednesday is going to be tough! Hard on Brooke and mentally and physically exhausting on the rest of us. We will drive to Edgewood Tuesday night and spend the night at the Hankins Hotel (Rick and Vera's house), eat a huge breakfast around 6:00 AM since Brooke can't eat or drink for 8 hours prior to the test, and then drive in to the dentist at 8:30. We have to be at UNM at 1:30 and the test is scheduled for 2:30. We will spend the night with Rick and Vera again Wednesday night and come home Thursday. Dr. Libby said test results usually take 3 days, so I'm counting on a week. (lessons learned from the past 3 months)

Please pray for a good outcome on Wednesday. Pray that Brooke is comforted and that Mike and I are able to help control any discomfort she has following the test. Ask God to wrap his loving arms around Brooke to keep her safe and protected.