Aplastic Anemia & Autoimmune Diseases: Diagnosed in 2001 - Thriving Today

Told he had six months to live in 2001, author Bruce Lande beat the illness and shares how you can do the same with a Personal Wellness Plan.I didn't know if I was in heaven or hell, but something was definitely not right! "I am the picture of health! What am I doing here?" Wow, this must be serious, Sue called Fred and Melanie and they arrived within 24 hours . "Hi Dad, how are you feeling?" asked Melissa our youngest, and a partner in the web business. How was I feeling! Like I had been run over by a freight train and left for dead! What in the world just happened to me?The doctor took one look at me and said, "Something is seriously wrong, we don't know what it is yet, look at your hand next to mine." He rolled his palm up next to mine and I finally saw what everyone had been talking about. His palm was a healthy pink and mine was a grayish yellow."I nicknamed myself the Rabbit Man while being transfused with Rabbit Serum designed to suppress my immune system. This was supposed to allow my platelets and other vital blood cells the opportunity to grow normally. I had been diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells.""Our hematologist seems to think our daughter may have AA but has not diagnosed her yet. She has a bone marrow test on Friday morning. I have been reading up since he talked to us this morning to try and educate myself. Our doctor mentioned this is a worst-case scenario so I am a little interested as to what that means. He would not go into specifics with us today because he wants to see all the tests. Her hemoglobin was at 2.1 last night so they rushed her to PICU. It all has happened so fast. I am praying often and will continue researching. My daughter is 2 months old so the doctor is very confused as she is very young. I would like to get on a mailing list for news about this disease and also any advice or good questions to ask the doctors would be appreciated. Thanks."When your life is suddenly altered by a life threatening illness, what can you do to regain control? What role can you play in making yourself well? What are the standard treatments? Are there alternatives available? Do they work? These and other questions about treating Aplastic Anemia, MDS, Leukemia, Cancers and Autoimmune Disorders are discussed from a patient's point of view.Updated Contact Information - alpasticcentral.org