Gregory Doucet
It was not until a routine visit to the paediatrician at a year-and-a-half old that led to the diagnosis that changed everything.
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Torrie received a shocking diagnosis of a rare blood disease at nine years old. Two weeks before her diagnosis, Torrie noticed some unusual symptoms while she was at a dance competition with a sore throat, loss of appetite, and a mysterious rash. She was admitted with a low platelet count, and soon after had no platelet count at all so she was airlifted to the PICU by the Saskatchewan Paediatric Transport Team.
She was soon diagnosed with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Autoimmune Blood Disease which can be fatal if not treated right away. Luckily for Torrie, a new Pheresis machine was purchased just six months prior to her diagnosis. Without the Pheresis machine, children like Torrie would have to travel out of province for treatment – a long trip for a child in such a critical condition.
To keep her health in check, Torrie gets blood work done every few months and visits a paediatric hematologist at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital every 3 months. To help her cope with her illness anxiety she also visits a counsellor to help her stay positive and hopeful for the future as she adjusts to her new condition. Despite everything Torrie is determined to not let her disease take away her quality of life and continues to enjoy each day with her friends and family.
