Learning the hard way about the risk of blood clots in ITP
I watched in horror as the muscle distortion from an intense charley horse moved down my lower leg, bruising my skin as it went. It…
Columns
Why it can be harmful to push past my limits with ITP
Life with chronic and rare illnesses is interesting, to say the least. I have to manage new and existing symptoms, visit medical providers, and stay…
My experience with blood transfusions for anemia and ITP
“Interview with the Vampire,” “Dracula,” “Twilight,” “The Lost Boys,” and even “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” have romanticized vampires and the idea of drinking blood. But…
ITP is only one of the reasons I experience easy bruising
The back of my left hand, the top of my right knee, my left shin, left calf muscle, right thumb, the top of my left…
End-of-life decisions should be made sooner rather than later
Advance directives, trusts, payable-on-death accounts, last wills, living wills, medical powers of attorney — just thinking about all of this provokes a feeling of existential…
Being evaluated for disability payments is always a tug-of-war
“Social Security Administration.” These three words on an envelope can make my heart drop. They’ve held me financially hostage for two and a half years,…
My shaky first experience with plasmapheresis treatment
I watched nervously as hospital staff rolled in a large machine that looked like something from “Doctor Who.” I giggled, thinking of those alien robots…
Years later, I’m still dealing with the effects of an ITP crisis
I felt the warm sunlight bathing my face through the window. For a moment, it felt so nice, but then I remembered that the sun…
Nosebleeds are one of my most annoying symptoms of ITP
The sickening taste of metal spiraled down the back of my throat. I immediately gagged and ran to the sink to spit out what I…
Taking prednisone for ITP can be both a godsend and a curse
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with prednisone. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting…
