My name is Caitlin, and I am deaf and a Chinese adoptee. I don’t know anything about my Chinese family's health history, but after my adoption, I was happy and appeared healthy.

In 2017, I woke up in the morning and realized there was blood coming from my nose on my pillowcase. I went to the bathroom sink to clean up my nosebleed and laid down for a bit. About an hour later, I looked in the mirror and I started to notice tiny red dots all over my chest and legs. I thought it was an odd rash, so I bought some rash cream and put it on my chest to see if it worked or not. Unfortunately, it didn’t work because the rash on my chest never disappeared, and I knew something was not right.

I went to the urgent care and talked with customer service to explain my symptoms and they recommended going to the hospital. I stayed at the hospital for one night. I met with a doctor who referred me to a hematologist to do a blood test, and my hematologist also examined my chest and leg rash.

When the blood work results came in, they told me my platelet count was low and not to be alarmed if it took time to raise the platelet count level back to normal. My doctor diagnosed me with Thrombocytopenia and explained to me that the symptoms usually include nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and a rash called petechiae. Once my platelets were raised to a safe level, I went home with a prescription medicine that would add iron to my blood.

After that, I went to the regular doctor's office for a follow-up checkup and to do bloodwork. My doctor wanted to be sure that my platelet count level continued to improve. Thankfully, my energy went back to normal with me eating normally and taking the prescription medicine.

My Chinese family history is still obscured to me because I was adopted at a young age, but my diagnosis has made me keen to learn about my condition, and I have read some interesting research about Thrombocytopenia. This information helps me to clarify and understand my blood disorder and manage my health better.

I am thankful to share my journey, and I hope my story will make a difference to those who suffer from this condition. It is such a pleasure and honor for me to be a part of the great community at PDSA. Sending positive messages of hope, inspiration, love, courage, and faith to all ITP patients.




Interested in sharing your journey with ITP? Submit your ITP story here. (Full names and contact information will not be shared).