Hello all

Just thought I'd join up and hopefully put a few of you at ease.

I was diagnosed with E.T. 12 years ago at the age of 48 and like most went to the doctors for heartburn/indegestion problems,not most having heartburn problems I might add, but jsut paying a visit

He said to me that as I haven't been for a while that I should have a blood test, and as most of you that's when E.T is discovered. The results came back and my platelet count was around 1300, so I had to go to see a specialist and had the bone marrow biopsy. I have to say I was a bit taken aback when my haematologist gave me a leukemia booklet, but he reassured me that I haven't got cancer, it's a disorder that comes under that bracket.

I was put on 3gm of Hydrox for 2 wks then down to 2gm for another 2 wks and then 1gm as well as aspirin and lanzoprole to calm my stomach due to the drugs, I might also point out that the lanzop cured my acid reflux problem, result! It took a while to balance out with the hydrox but we got there, and yes it hit me with taking it first, couldn't walk upstairs without being out of breath. I am now on 1.5gm a day as my count occasionally rises and does have other effects as it also reduces the red cells so therefore slightly anaemic.

I don't let any of the above get in my way in life because as some of you have said, it's better than the alternative, I do suffer from a few aches and pains but put that down to age and a manual job, I do feel lucky that I don't have any side effects and feel for anybody out there that suffer

I think what people may tend to do is look for things that might be wrong with you, as I did, but after a while you just get on with it.

Hopefully I've put most of you at ease with my journey, I've lasted this long and feel ok for bit longer, I hope!

Thanks for reading and keep posting

Russell