Hold up - I'm a nerd, not a doctor
Everything on this page is my personal experience with Essential Thrombocytosis. I build servers and change oil for a living - I am absolutely not qualified to give you medical advice. If you think you might have ET or any blood disorder, go see an actual hematologist. Seriously. Your situation is different than mine, and Dr. Google (or Dr. Leo) is not a substitute for real medical care.
That said, if you're going through something similar and just want to know you're not alone - welcome, friend. Pull up a chair.
Living with ET
Essential Thrombocytosis - My Story
What is Essential Thrombocytosis?
Essential Thrombocytosis (ET) is a rare chronic blood disorder where your bone marrow produces too many platelets. Platelets are the cells that help your blood clot, so having too many can increase the risk of blood clots - and paradoxically, also bleeding problems.
ET is classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), which is a fancy way of saying your bone marrow is overproducing certain blood cells. It's typically caused by mutations in genes like JAK2, CALR, or MPL.
Quick Facts:
- Normal platelet count: 150,000 - 400,000 per microliter
- ET patients often have counts over 450,000 (mine has been much higher)
- It's chronic but generally manageable with proper treatment
- Most people live normal lifespans with appropriate care
My Journey with ET
The Diagnosis
[Your diagnosis story will go here - how you found out, what the initial experience was like, any symptoms you noticed, etc.]
Treatment Journey
[Your treatment experience - medications, doctor visits, what's worked, what hasn't, etc.]
Daily Life with ET
[How ET affects your daily life - any lifestyle changes, things you watch out for, how you manage it, etc.]
Updates
[Add updates about your journey here - lab results, medication changes, how you're feeling, etc.]
Resources
MPN Research Foundation
Research and patient resources for myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Support and information for blood cancer patients.
Mayo Clinic - ET Overview
Medical information about Essential Thrombocytosis.
r/MPN Community
Reddit community for MPN patients sharing experiences.