On 12/3/2010 our 7 month old foster baby developed some strange small purple spots on her face, and in the middle of the night her gums began to bleed. I took her to the Dr. first thing in the morning. The Dr. had her life-flighted to Children’s hospital immediately after seeing her. Once at Children’s she had her blood drawn and was diagnosed with ITP or Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an autoimmune disease with unknown origins. ITP causes the immune system to attack platelets and sometimes platelet production.  Normal platelet counts range from 150,000 to 400,000, but the baby had only 4,000 upon being admitted to the hospital.

The Dr.’s administered 2 treatments of IVIg (liquid concentrate of antibodies purified from plasma) to which her body did not respond to at all. They then gave her a platelet transfusion, however her body destroyed those as well. Leukemia was now being considered, so they performed a bone marrow biopsy, but it was ruled out. Thank you God!! The next treatment would be prednisone (steroids). Her body began to respond and the Dr. told us to expect a long 6 month + process of the drug to increase her platelet counts to normal. She was discharged on 12/9/2010, a week after being admitted, with just 26,000 platelets and covered in bruises, petechiae (small purple spots) and her eyes filled with blood.

On 12/12/2010 we came to church and the entire congregation prayed over her. One woman came up to me after the prayer and explained that she saw a substance (bright and glowing)coming out of heaven, flowing into the baby. The following day her platelet count was 134,000!! She continued her medication and weekly labs until 1/20/2011 when her platelet count was 438,000!! She is completely healed, with above normal platelet counts, no more need for medication and her scars gone just a short month and a half after this all began.

During this scary time, our church community came together, some visited us in the hospital, some sent dinners to our home for the rest of our family, some gave financially, and many were praying regularly. We have been so blessed to be part of The Gathering Place and God’s family!

David and Kathy Finley (and little Gwen)