A whole bunch of blood tests haven't yet confirmed the ET, so at my September visit with the hematologist, she asked if I would "be okay with" a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration in that way that makes you nervous about why you wouldn't be okay with it.
So that's what I asked: "Why wouldn't I be okay with it?"
Saturday, October 31, 2015
How 'bout a dash of mutation with that genetic cocktail?
If you want to know all the ins and outs of genetic mutations and myeloproliferative neoplasms (of which essential thrombocytosis is one), get a Ph.D. in biology. But if your doctor suspects you have ET or some other MPN, s/he will probably look for a Janus kinase 2 (aka JAK2) mutation that causes your bone marrow to produce too many platelets, and that test is useful to understand.
Friday, October 30, 2015
How's your spleen?
Some patients with ET have enlarged spleens ("splenomegaly," which comes from the English word "spleen" and the Greek word "megas" or "big." Just in case you're going to a cocktail party where people enjoy word trivia.)
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Your turn!
Tell us who you are and what your experiences with ET have been in the "comments" box. Browse the posts and add your own info and experiences, or just ask questions. If you can't find what you're looking for, try the search box in the top left of the nav bar. Your comments, questions, and stories will help others with ET.
We're all in this together.
We're all in this together.
About ET
Essential thrombocytosis is a pretty rare condition in which your bone marrow produces too many platelets. According to info from the MPN Research Foundation, there are about 134,000 of us ET patients in the U.S. at any given time. If you live in a hick town like me, you're not likely to know anybody else with ET. If you live in an average sized American town, there might be eight other people who have ET, about the right size for a book group, holiday decoration committee, or a crack team of international jewel thieves.
About me and this blog
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