Diagnosed in 2000--Spleenectomy in 2001

It has been quite a long time since I have been to the ITP discussion group pages. I was diagnosed with ITP in 2000 and after taking prednisone for a few months I elected to have a spleenectomy. Since that time my platelets have ranged from 650,000 (right after surgery) to around 250,000 now. It has been 9 years now and I am very glad that my platelets have stayed up where they should be. My question is basically if anyone knows whether there has been any new research done on how long a spleenectomy lasts and if I can reasonably say that I am "cured" of ITP? Does anyone know of any ITP sufferers who had the surgery and stayed in remission for many years? When I was diagnosed and had the surgery, my doctors told me that there was no long-term research that could say for sure that my ITP would not come back. I am reasonably healthy now and I have not experienced any side-effects from being sans spleen such as increased infections or illnesses. I am actually disgustingly healthy for a 49 year old (somewhat overweight) woman. I have gone back to college and I am very close to earning my masters degree now. I still list ITP on my medical history whenever that comes up, and I wonder sometimes if that is even necessary anymore? I would appreciate anyone's replies or would be willing to give my feedback and experiences if anyone wants them. Thanks everyone....
Cheri

first I gotta say Congratulations! And welcome back! In my opinion you should still put it on you medical history. I'm sure you gotta mention that you don't have a spleen! So them knowing the reason for that seems appropriate. And it can rear it's ugly head at any time. Good for them to have the heads up!