"SPA" Appointment

Well gang, for the first time in almost two years I'm headed into the "SPA". Platelets are at 6,000 today, so they're calling me in for an emergency IVIG tonight. Should be fun!

The "SPA"!!! Positive attitude!

I've been in the hospital so many times over my 30 year ITP adventure, and I used to just HATE having to stay there. But, eventually, I thought to myself, "It could be worse - what if there weren't any hospitals and no treatments available?"

So, now, I've become rather immune to the drama, and just accept a hospital stay as a "respite": I get fed, cared for, a clean, comfy bed, I don't have to mow the lawn, I get waited on, I can sleep, or walk (If not tethered to IV's and stuff) read, listen to my Ipod, watch TV, tease the nurses , etc. Might as well make the best of it!

am only 10 year behind you Tad as far as ITP goes, though haven't had low platelets literally all that time though very used to hospital life and to be honest ITP is by far the easiest to handle for me personal. ITP for me is also easier than managing a cold (especially with the penicillan awareness too) and certainly I feel far worse with a cold than I do for ITP. Though am more than aware of its seriousness etc if left.

But I like the termology and yes, I can even walk whilst having the IVIG but it is a bug bear of mine that am sat around all day 'winding' everyone up and they seem to like to give it at night when I can't do what I want with my arms and whilst am expert at hospital life, am not a very good sleeper in hospitals.

I think their idea is that I'd be asleep for most of the IVIG but me being me, am not asleep and very much awake. But hey, am not doing much the next day so who worries.

hope the session went well

Thanks Rhiannon and Tad. The IVIG infusion went without incident. They premedicated with Atarax this time, as I had a reaction in the past. So, at my request, they took a prophylactic approach, rather than a reactive one. I was not admitted, thank goodness, as I wanted to get home to my family ASAP. So, after eight and a half hours in the ER (the actual infusion only took four hours) I was sent home to my own bed. It was fantastic! Because I live only 10 min. from the hospital and I was not having any major bruising/bleeding, they were comfortable to let me go on the understanding that I watch myself very closely. Now it's just to wait and see where my counts are on Monday!

Blessings,
Hauna

good for you and yes even in England I understand the 'own-bed'. Hospital beds are not comfortable at all.

You take good care of yourself and keep us updated

have a good weekend

Good luck Hauna. I'm glad it went well!

Just got my results... 121,000 today! Now, let's see how long this lasts. Anyone want to place any bets?

121,000 - Great news! Keep 'em up! Now, go hit the bar, not the "SPA"

One week later and I've hit 233,000. I haven't had this many platelets in almost 25 years! I don't even know what to do with them all... Any rugby teams holding try-outs?

Great news!

Rugby?

I know how you feel: For me, after years and years of counts no greater than 4,000 with all of the associated bruising, oozing cuts and such, Nplate finally worked for me. When my count rose to over 500,000, the bruises faded, cuts healed amazingly quickly. I felt like I should start juggling chainsaws or something!