why are we debating this child's situation
First off, untrusting, Welcome!
Second, many of us have been following Mia and her Fathers legal struggles against the WTS to get blood transfusions needed for her to even have a chance a survival. He is now in a desperate situation, financially, because of the enormous costs associated with fighting the deep pockets of the WTS.
When Running Man wrote that "It was obviously an attempt by the WBTS to imply that the transfusions were causing her illness, and if they had been stopped sooner, she would be OK. Damn ghouls." , I remembered the thread I read yesterday on a JW board regarding Mia and her blood transfusions. It's obvious that many loyal Dubs are touting the JW party line regarding blood. They do this purely out of ignorance and fear.
I am certainly no expert in US law, let alone Canadian law. Here in the US, like it or not, judges DO make law. I'm sure someone will correct me if I am mistaken, but it is probably very similar in Canada. A decision made by a judge regarding such matters like this can have ramifications for years to come. I think about future children, especially JW children, who might be diagnosed with Leukemia. What happens with Mia can directly affect them.
Sorry, I don't know that much about Lukemia; does it attack the red or white blood cells? Can't she get a bone marrow transplant? Would this help her body to produce the necessary blood? And what about those machines that they put your blood throught to purify it (is that dialasis?)......has this been tried?
Leukemia is basically Cancer of the White blood cells. Those cells are directly responsible in fighting infection and illness. There are several different types of white blood cells and their is a type of Leukemia for each one of them. Leukemia doesn't attack anything. For reasons the scientists do not understand, the bonemarrow goes haywire by releasing immature white blood cells into the bloodsteam. Because they haven't fully matured, they are unable to perform their function of fighting infection. So these immature cells called Myeloblasts, start multiplying very rapidly. They crowd the blood and make it very difficult for any other type of cell (red blood cells, platets, healthy white blood cells) to multiply and perform their functions, such as carrying oxygen through out the body and the bloods ability to clot. Symptoms are usually bruising, fatigue, and achiness. AML generally affects older teenagers and young adults.
As for Bone Marrow Transplants. Yes, it is an option. However, there has to be a "match" found first. That in itself is a very high mountain to climb. Then, ironically, the receiver has to be "healthy," or strong enough to receive one. BMTs are extremely risky. Literally, every cell in the receivers blood has to be destroyed. The risk of infection is so great that someone in Mia's condition would never survive. And even if one is performed, then there is the risk of the receiver's body rejecting the marrow. Just like in an organ transplant, there is a chance that "Host vs Graft Disease" may develop. This generally proves to be fatal. And again, there is the whole issue with the JW blood doctrine with Mia.
As far as a dialysis type treatment. I have heard some things about that. Maybe in the future that will be an option. See, the trick with Leukemia is that the problem is in the bone marrow, itself. So, that is what needs to work properly. If there was a way found that while the "bad stuff" was being filtered out, the good stuff would be allowed to remain, this type of procedure might be promising. Filtering out everything would be very much like preparing someone for a BMT. And I described the risks associated with that. Being exposed to something like The Flu unintentionally could be fatal. The area that something of this nature being performed would have to be highly controlled. The rooms that BMTs are done are completely sterile, and only certain people are allowed in. The fewer the better. It is very different than a kidney patient receiving dialysis.
Anyway, I hope that helps. This whole thing has affected me very deeply.
Andee
Edited by - BeautifulGarbage on 16 July 2002 23:43:49