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,…
One Drop at a Time – a Column by Shalana Jordan
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…
Sometimes I feel like I need a PhD to understand my own body
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP), and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) can make for a confusing “word soup,” as…
Old pennies, raw liver, and the taste of blood being transfused
The tastes of metal and a bloody organ swirled together in the back of my throat, similar to the smell of old pennies and raw…
Unraveling mysterious symptoms: My ITP diagnosis
Looking over my shoulder in the mirror, I saw another deep, dark, purple bruise on my right shoulder blade. How did I do that one?…
