Hi... Yes, in fact we do, and there are several hematologists there. I was just hoping for a particular recommendation. Absent that, I am sure we'll be fine. Thanks.

I saw the head of hematology at a university hospital - this was back in early 1990s - he told me "you will have your spleen removed" and to this day my spleen is still where God put it and doing the job it is supposed to do.  Wasn't impressed with that 2nd opinion   

You and your husband like his hematologist?   What is he recommending?
I honestly know nothing about Nplate - what is his count doing?

It was a hard journey lol. Thank God, and definitely the great hospital stuff.

Regarding dating, oh, I didn't date anyone for like 2 years after diagnosis. I now mostly do it for fun as I'm not ready for a long-term relationship.

And oh, I've started going to an ice skating class. Surprisingly it is only me wearing a helmet, while hamlets are mandatory in Canada. The good part is there are 13 ladies and only 2 males. A great dating pool

Poseymint, I've heard work insurance is better than school insurance, right? So I hope I'm not going to have trouble with having meds covered after graduation if I still needed them. I just couldn't imagine what was the situation before ObamaCare, and being denied for having a pre-existing condition (the case in many other countries, like Canada). People would literally have to die! I hope no one's hand in the US ever gets to rescind ObamaCare. Amen.

Hi,
I have a follow-up appointment soon. I was considering buying a gift for the hemo and his nurse who helped a lot setting up my meds. I don't know how it works in the US. Would it be ok to buy flowers for the doc and some chocolate for the nurse? Doc is 80 y.o man and his nurse is a 25 y.o lady. I don't know what the rules are here in the US. Checked the internet and some people had spoken against flowers because of allergies, and of course, I don't want to spend money on sth that I cannot give to them.


Thanks.

P.s:
With all this dating stuff, I was still single on the valentines day (which was kinda sad on the night tbh) and I I'm kinda overworked too. Living in the US is kinda challenging. It is only work, work, work!

I've given donuts to the nursing staff at the hospital.

Also when a dermatologist Physicians Assistant finally figured out what my problem was, on the 1st visit no less, and got rid of a derm problem I'd had for many years [and seen all sorts of doctors about] - I sent her a card with a heartfelt note inside, I heard she appreciated that note more than anything!!   

My hemo is part of a cancer clinic and just my opinion from 12 years there- my doctor doesn't accept gifts and it appears that no one does. He likely feels its unethical for him to accept a gift- hey he doesn't even like being thanked! He deflects it. But just what I've noticed at this particular cancer clinic, is when people bring in flowers, the flowers are set out on the front desk for the patients and everyone to enjoy. Or if its candy, baskets of fruit, it goes onto the back desk infusion room for the patients to eat the candy, fruit and enjoy the flowers. Also I think because of Covid they might not allow open boxes of candy, not sure but I noticed all the candy they have out is individually wrapped.

I think doctors might appreciate patients who write positive reviews on Yelp and online review sites.? That might be a way to express your appreciation or like Mel mentioned, a thank you card. Just my thoughts, sounds like you have excellent medical care.

Thank you!  

What is going on with the site?   It is consistently telling me my session has expired and it takes me 3 or 4 (or more) tries to get logged in. I'm usually logged in all the time, but since Friday, I have to fight to get in.  This is really getting annoying.

Flowers and chocolates and donuts are a token of thanks, in my opinion not a gift.  Eating chocolate or donuts a patient brings isn't unethical to me, it isn't a bribe or a way to get extra attention it is a thank you!  And knowing many nurses I know for sure they really appreciate donuts and being thought of.

When I have taken donuts to the hospital staff on the floor I was on or a friend was on they were then taken to the nurses break room for all the staff to enjoy.  Nothing wrong with donuts and a thank you note!

Personally due to allergies I think I'd skip flowers.

Don't know what you did, Jeff, but thank you!  I didn't have to log in today!

That's a good idea Mrsb04! I'll consider it, if my platelets drop again. I might have found what caused ITP for me- MAYBE. They went up to 165000 a couple weeks after I stopped eating gluten, oat and buckwheat. Let's see if it stays that way. They finally discovered I have transglutaminase 6 antibodies... I really have no idea, I'll check in and tell about it once I can be more sure in a couple months or so. 

Show me a nurse who doesn't appreciate donuts or chocolates, or biscuits or cakes. Sometimes we were so busy that was what kept us going. 

Thank you mrsb!!    Our daughter in law is an RN and every now and then I get a couple boxes of candy & a card of "thanks for all you do" and give them to her to take to work for her & her colleagues just to let them know someone appreciates their hard work and dedication.

(and I do not expect, nor want, donuts or chocolates to be shared with patients - when I give them I expect those who worked hard to enjoy them)

Hope that continues Cindy!!

I've had same problem today. Had to log in for each post I read on recent topics 

That sucks, mrsb!  I didn't have that issue.  I was actually just sitting here wondering if there was a problem with my account.  I'm glad it's not just me having issues, but it sucks that we are.

I don't usually have an issue when having to log back in.  This last time was different.  But it seems to be fixed now, so thank you, Jeff. 
I know sometimes when my computer does an update, I have to re-log in and that's to be expected.

I have been diagnosed with a high level of calcification in my heart arteries. Treatment may include statins. 
I have been receiving N Plate injections weekly for about 3 years and my counts have remained above 100,000 with a few exceptions. 
Has anyone had experience with statins and if so did they have a negative effect on platelet count?
Thank you for responding.

A statin has done nothing to my platelet count.
Personally I'd rather have a drop in platelet count than a heart attack!

I wish you well!!

I agree with Mel. Statins have had no effect on my count either 

Fostamatinib dose increased to 150mg twice a day from this morning. 

Hope it starts raising your counts soon, mrsb!

Ditto what Cindy said!!!

Carducci, good morning. Have you done much research on vitamin K2? There are quite a few medical studies out on the effects it has with removing calcium from places it should not be (like arteries) and transporting it places it should (like bone). Start researching Vitamin K2 if you get the chance.

Chad I think I'd rather take something like that to ward off the artery calcification instead of taking it after the calcification is already there.  

Why I'm saying this is - a friend has osteoporosis, she was on fosamax for 5 years and was then taken off it, she did not want to take anything else so the endocrinologist told her to take Alive which is plant based calcium and other stuff - well she is now using a walker due to a couple compression fractures one is T12 and I can't remember the other one.  No problems while on fosamax but once off it and on plant based calcium she got the compression fractures.  As soon as she told me she had the T12 compression fracture I knew it was due to osteoporosis and not taking proper med to help and her surgeon told her the same thing.  

I have to undergo a cardiac catherization including an angioplasty and installation of a stent. As part of the follow up, my Cardiologist is saying I will have to take a blood thinner for 9 or more months until they can be sure the stent is staying in place correctly. 
Has anyone undergone a stent procedure and/or use of blood thinners as a flow up? If so, would you be willing to share your experiences including what adjustments you made to your ITP treatments? I am currently receiving a weekly injection of NPlate at a dosage of 1 mcg/kg.
Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

The blood thinner I was on after each knee replacement surgery to prevent clots was baby aspirin - can't recall if my friend was put on baby aspirin after stents were installed.   The baby aspirin increased my platelet count. 

My son's neutropenia also resolved itself after a little over 5 months.