Kanetta at home with Tiffy.

Hi Everyone, thanks to all who have written in and given us an inside glimpse of what it is like living with this disease.  It really helps the attitude to know that you are not the only one out there that has Thrombocythemia.  All of us seem to be living our life almost the same as we did before this disease was discovered in our bodies.  I am using the word “discovered” because none of us actually know when it actually started or how we contacted it.  I know the experts are working on a cure but as of now, I haven’t heard of any.

On October 28, my doctor lowered my dosage of Hydroxyurea to only one pill (500 mg.) a day.  My platelets were not actually coming down. They were basically just staying the same; however, I was getting anemic from the Hydroxyurea and I think that is why he lowered my dosage.  On December 9, only two months later, I went to have my blood work done again and my platelets had gone up to 887.  That was a jump of 317 points in only two months.  What a downer!  However, my anemia numbers were so much better.  The doctor told me to keep taking the one pill a day (500 mg.) just as I had been doing.  I will say that I have been feeling better than I have in a long time and I know it’s because of not taking the higher dosage and also because i’m not as anemic as I was before.  Anemia can play a large part in how a person is feeling.  I have an appointment to see my doctor on January 27.  I can’t wait to see what my numbers are then.  I am just hoping that the platelets are staying the same and haven’t shot up higher.  The dosage that I am now taking agrees with my system very well and I really don’t want him to increase it but if he must do it then I will take the medicine.  At this point, my only hope is that the Hydroxyurea keeps on working.

I’ll keep you all posted on what happens after my next doctor visit.  I hope it’s good and I promise I won’t take so long next time on keeping you up-to-date.  Living with Thrombocythemia isn’t easy but life is worth fighting for and keeping a good quality of life is even better.  Don’t forget to fill in the comment section to let all of know how you are coping and even better, LIVING.  Happy New Year to you all and I hope that this will be the best year ever for all of us.   Kanetta