Georgia – Young Girl With ITP Gets Support From Friends

Bleeding more than usual.  Bruising and purple spotting on the skin. Bleeding gums. Fatigue.  These are just a few of the symptoms of ITP.  Becky Sulko noticed some of these symptoms with her 8 year old daughter Katie.

“We noticed very large and dark bruises on her body, and little red dots all over her legs,” Becky said in a recent article from NorthFulton.com.

After taking Katie to the local hospital, the doctor ran tests and noticed her platelet count seemed off. Katie had a platelet count of under 10,000 per microliter. The normal range is between 150,000 and 400,000 per microliter for platelets – Katie’s had fallen under 10,000 per microliter and was diganosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). She had to calm down her athletic activities, go to the doctor for weekly blood tests and begin intravenous infusions of immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Enter an activity Katie enjoys – spending time doing activities with her local girl scout troop.  Recently, her troop used some of their cookie money they sold this past year to make a donation to the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA). Pretty neat for a group of girls that young to see a friend in need and help out.

The Sulko family states they are continuing to hope and pray that Katie won’t have to live with ITP for the rest of her life. Best of luck to the Sulko family and Katie’s ongoing treatments.

Photo Credit – Platelet Disorder Support Association/NorthFulton.com

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