TOPIC:

Hi

Thought I'd share one of the (very) few positive things that ITP has done for me ...

Almost exactly 3 years ago, I met someone called Neil at the local indoor climbing wall here in Glasgow, part of a group of us who climbed together on an informal basis. A few months later, I was diagnosed with ITP, and obviously my doctors gave me strict instructions not to do anything dangerous, so climbing was obviously out! So, I texted my climbing buddies to tell them I'd be out of circulation for a while, and they all replied with commiserations and wishes for a speedy return to the other end of a rope Neil, however, kept in touch much more regularly, and was immensely supportive - during my first month of prednisolone (75mg per day) when I had severe insomnia, he once came round at 3 a.m. armed with his sister's wedding DVD and the DVD of a skydive he'd done, thinking that watching these would put me to sleep in no time! Needless to say, I watched them both to the end while he dozed ...

He was an incredible friend to me as I was tapering off the pred, and fondly remembers a night in a pub where I had one small beer and reached new levels of euphoric tangential conversation, accompanied by exaggerated arm gestures that entertained the whole pub, unbeknownst to me! Anyway, to cut a long story short, we started going out together in October 2009, and managed to get through the first few tentative month of a new relationship despite the joint pain and hair loss I had from the prednisolone. I then had 18 months remission, during which time we moved in to a new house together (September 2010), so he then got to witness my second course of prednisolone and the associated mood swings and side effects up close and personal when I relapsed in April last year. Again, the levels of support and patience he's shown have been unstinting and unconditional - he talks about "our platelet count" and "our treatment" without realising he's doing it, maybe because he's only really got to know me since I got ITP and it's part of me. Well, part of us

So, given a choice between option 1 (no ITP and no Neil) or option 2 (ITP and Neil) - well, no decision to be made, there, option 2 every time!

I said at the start of this that there were a few positives (plural) and I think that apart from bringing me and Neil together, I've got a whole new perspective on life, and an increased awareness on the support people give and receive. This site has been a big part of that, even though I only discovered it a couple of months ago so I wanted to share some positivity with everyone on here

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and thoughts, it's like having friends who instantly "get" each other

Rachael

I love how he brought over the wedding and sky dive dvds - that's how you know he is a keeper! My s.o. brought me a folding table and chair because I had zero furniture - who needs flowers, bring us something useful!
Erica

LOVED that story! I'm so glad you found a positive spin!

That was the BEST story, what a fantastic guy you have there. Good luck for the future!!

Thats very sweet Rachael - he sounds like a really good bloke! Its definitely worth thinking about ITP positives from time to time. I've got a whole list that I remind myself of on days that aren't so great.

Sounds like you have found your counter point . Sometimes it takes rough seas for you to find out who will stick with you. Its always good to hear about someone finding happiness

Hope you have a long happy and great future together

That has to be the best thing Ive ever heard relating to ITP.

Congrats !!

A wee update to this thread,
4 weeks ago I proposed to Rachael.
And she said yes!!!

Congratulations! When's the big day?

Congrats to you both!

Beautiful story! Sounds like you two were meant to be! Congratulations.



and since no one asked I will does he have a twin?? hehehehe

That is such wonderful news! Congratulations!

rachaely wrote:

Hi

Thought I'd share one of the (very) few positive things that ITP has done for me ...

Almost exactly 3 years ago, I met someone called Neil at the local indoor climbing wall here in Glasgow, part of a group of us who climbed together on an informal basis. A few months later, I was diagnosed with ITP, and obviously my doctors gave me strict instructions not to do anything dangerous, so climbing was obviously out! So, I texted my climbing buddies to tell them I'd be out of circulation for a while, and they all replied with commiserations and wishes for a speedy return to the other end of a rope Neil, however, kept in touch much more regularly, and was immensely supportive - during my first month of prednisolone (75mg per day) when I had severe insomnia, he once came round at 3 a.m. armed with his sister's wedding DVD and the DVD of a skydive he'd done, thinking that watching these would put me to sleep in no time! Needless to say, I watched them both to the end while he dozed ...

He was an incredible friend to me as I was tapering off the pred, and fondly remembers a night in a pub where I had one small beer and reached new levels of euphoric tangential conversation, accompanied by exaggerated arm gestures that entertained the whole pub, unbeknownst to me! Anyway, to cut a long story short, we started going out together in October 2009, and managed to get through the first few tentative month of a new relationship despite the joint pain and hair loss I had from the prednisolone. I then had 18 months remission, during which time we moved in to a new house together (September 2010), so he then got to witness my second course of prednisolone and the associated mood swings and side effects up close and personal when I relapsed in April last year. Again, the levels of support and patience he's shown have been unstinting and unconditional - he talks about "our platelet count" and "our treatment" without realising he's doing it, maybe because he's only really got to know me since I got ITP and it's part of me. Well, part of us

So, given a choice between option 1 (no ITP and no Neil) or option 2 (ITP and Neil) - well, no decision to be made, there, option 2 every time!

I said at the start of this that there were a few positives (plural) and I think that apart from bringing me and Neil together, I've got a whole new perspective on life, and an increased awareness on the support people give and receive. This site has been a big part of that, even though I only discovered it a couple of months ago so I wanted to share some positivity with everyone on here

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and thoughts, it's like having friends who instantly "get" each other

Rachael

As I read this I got something in both my eyes...I did not know that ITP would make your eyes water. I gotta read more!

Jeff

When is the big day?

Congratulations to you both!

Jeff (just to cover the eyes a bit)

Not got as far as organising the wedding yet, still getting used to being engaged was a total surprise for me but I guess Neil's had longer to get used to the idea, what with designing and organising the rings and all! It was his 30th birthday a couple of weeks ago so he just managed to get engaged in his 20s

So far, we have managed to make a start on the short list for most inappropriate songs for a first dance, just have to be careful that the older generation doesn't suffer a group coronary!

Reply to winnifred's question about Neil having a twin, he's definitely a one off, sorry!

Man I love a happy ending - my best wishes to you both Rachael and Neil, you two have a bright future ahead of you!

The one good thing I got from my mom is it never hurts to ask! That said even if he had a twin too young for me lol

I just love reading stories like yours Not because you have ITP but because of the romance and love behind it!

What a great story to tell your grandkids. Hopefully by that time ITP will be in the medical history books!!

27th August 2016, we finally tied the knot (quite literally as it happens) at a lovely remote venue on the Eastern side of Scotland.

Congratulations! Great photos too.

Rachael and Neil you are a beautiful couple in more ways than one! Thank you so much for sharing the photos of your very special day! Congratulations to you, may you have a long and happy life together filled with many blessings!

Congratulations! Awesome photos! Wishing you both a long and happy life together!

Rachael here - we had a brilliant day, and as you can see from the pictures, the sun made a rare appearance in Scotland!

And in ITP news, I was officially declared as being in remission 2 weeks before the wedding, after 15 months on romiplostim - talk about good timing!

More great news Rachael! Congrats!

Congratulations beautiful pictures and I have to say I like the colours of his Tartan (sorry if my spelling is off)

Congrats!!

May you have MANY happy years together!! and may ITP stay at bay for you!!

I just noticed you had a hand fasting ceremony! Very cool that is what my daughter wanted at her wedding.


Do you do the traditional questions? At my daughters wedding The groom asked if the bride would be burried with his people. and The bride asked the groom if he would hang his laundry with hers.

There was no pre-emptive funeral arrangements or hanging of under garments mentioned during the service
It was a Humanist service, so we got to say pretty much whatever we wanted. The hand fasting, and tying of the knot was done in the traditional Scottish sense - my ribbon was the Sutherland tartan, and Rachael's was a coral pink ribbon to match her sash (she's English so doesn't have a clan tartan!) There was also a quaich, a Scottish sharing cup, which the fathers each added whisky to, passed between us and then around all the guests - it didn't last long!

Lovely read and best of luck to happy couple and your long life together