Hi Beardo, How are you?  I often think about you. Also about all the other ET people, wishing we were all in regular touch.

Shielding has been quite strange. Even though my daughter's been here too, working from home, I feel completely out of touch with life outside.  More than ever now because I had a stupid accident at home - tripped on something in the dark and strained my foot, over a month immobilised and only beginning to walk properly again this week -  can you imagine anything more idiotic?  No dog + self walking at all - and £20.00 pd to get them walked,  while I sit yearning on my spreading rear!  I follow the news of course and think endlessly about it all, so does Sarah (daughter) but all we can see ahead is more of the same.  What does your wife think, from her situation on the medical front-line?

I do so hope you're well and hope to hear from you.

Hallo Sabie,

How are you now?  Did you get shielded too?  

It would be so good to know about you other ET-people.

My platelets have come down a lot.

Best wishes

Hallo Kobe,

How are you?

Did you get shielded too?

I hope you've got the best medicine and are not suffering.

Best wishes from Jdog

I'm not so sure. I went for six years without taking Hydroxy Carbimide because I have huge concerns about taking chemotherapy. I decided to research nutrition and which foods help prevent platelet aggregation, there are many. The usual diet high in vegetables fruit, wholefoods plus gingko Biloba, I didn't event take aspirin.

When my platelet count went into 700 my haemotologist wanted me to consider taking the Hydroxy, she understood that although my age (65) put me into the vulnerable category my healthy lifestyle and diet and no other helth conditions mitigated the risk.

I agreed to start taking the Hydroxy following me getting Covid and my platelets went up to 880.

I feel very disappointed and concerned because unlike other chemotherapy treatments we are on this for life. I wish there was more help support and understanding of the value of nutrition from Physicians

Hi Jdog

  I feel ok. I ve been on hydroxycarbamide for nearly 3 years. I was shielded ,but I didn't get a letter this time so I have been venturing out sticking to rules,to do my own food shopping.

My platelets were down 280 last blood test. I must admit I ve also had to take vitaminD.Iwas wondering whether the chemo can deplete vitamin levels ??.My diet is good and has not changed. Probably age I now have painful finger joints too. Apart from that trying to keep as upbeat as possible in the circumstances. Lots of gardening and fresh air.

  Regards

Hallo   My ET is caused by a CALR mutation and I don't think the fact that I eat a healthy diet and take lots of exercise every day can reverse that.  My platelet count has steadily come down to normal with hydroxycarbamide which I find slightly reassuring in case I get covid.  It seems that sticky blood (high platelets) is one of the main effects of covid whether the patient has ET or not so the hydroxycarbamide will hopefully at least put us on a level playing field with people who don't have ET.

Hi 

My ET is caused  by Jac 2 mutation.

Ive always eaten well exercised and kept an average weight. With Covid now 

those were my sentiments.At least my blood is thinner than before.To me it was the lesser evil being on hydroxycarbamide or having a stroke or heart attack and being dependant on my children,if it did n't finish me off.I m 74 and it was known that I had lots of platelets 17years before diagnosis.At one point the medics wanted to harvest them when I gave blood.ET seems to be a New label those that have these mutations in the bone marrow have been given.It was by chance I was eventually tested.Which is great it means awareness may save others from debilitating strokes etc. 
 

Hi, 

I too have ET and live on contaminated land. Currently pending in court. Those chemicals you mentioned are all present in my land. 

Hallo Nikoletta,

I've just come back in and I don't know what chemicals you are talking about; you've not appeared before in my threads.  I've been hoping to hear from the people I was in touch with before but Sabie is the only one I've heard from so far.  (Hi Sabie, we seem to be chips off the same block and I'm so glad you too are so far OK).  I wish I could hear from BEARDO and that he's OK.

But I'd be interested to hear more about you Nikoletta if you can be bothered,

Love to all

Jdog