Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

It seems that TTP is not the only rare phenomenon.  TTP blogs, written by ordinary people with TTP are even rarer. I have searched for TTP blogs written by patients, and not medical professionals or researchers.  I have found blogs with posts by patients, sharing their stories.  I have not found blogs where patients share their ordinary lives.  Maybe another one exists somewhere, but I haven’t found it. I want this blog to promote positivity.  I’m not in constant physical pain, though I know some chronic conditions do cause real every day problems.  My feeling is that TTP causes anxiety and that can be quite severe.  Working in a stressful situation can be impossible.  I found I couldn’t cope with any stress, whether it was being asked to tackle something I found challenging or facing another human being that showed me even the slightest lack of understanding or respect.  I simply couldn’t deal with it.  Even reading a set of instruction...

We took our lunch to Horner Woods today, intending to have a short walk.  While we were toasting our sandwiches in the Ridge Monkey the clouds opened and it threw down.  We ate and waited but it didn't stop. We stayed in the campervan,  we've both had cold after cold this winter and have lost the urge to walk in any weather.   Back home again I decided to do some indoor gardening, or giving the houseplants some TLC.  I have a love of spider plants and have started several outdoor hanging baskets for the summer.  I’ve had one for several years and it’s beautiful.  They seem quite happy for those few warm sunny months, though they do need bringing back in once the cooler, and especially stormy, days return.  The leaves can be fragile and don’t like to be messed with.  Another plant that I found needed careful positioning is the ficus.   When I bought it, I had intended it for the lounge.  All the leaves quickly tumbled to the floor an...

The first thing to say is my blood results are all excellent.  Pristine, I'm told. Phew!  I've been feeling really off colour, a friend has covid and I've had something close to Sinusitis,  even though a nurse told me I wasn't in enough pain to have it.  Thankfully,  with some codeine I managed to get through it.  It's a worry as TTP is an autoimmune condition.    Anyway, I've been away to spend some time with family and am home again.  Always a delight, and hard to leave, but they have their own lives.  I’m grateful they’re all doing so well 😊 Our garden has begun to awaken and I'm relieved to see some real signs of spring at last.  The frog spawn has unfortunately vanished. Possibly heron breakfast,  we've had visits before. Such a shame, all that effort on the frogs' part and now no tadpoles.  Nature, of course, but harsh. Here are a few signs of spring in our garden 🙂 Primroses in between old sleeper step...

Yesterday was TTP blood test day.  I was grateful the date had come around as I felt I need a blood test.  I had a cold started a few weeks ago, covid test showed negative but it was a nasty one and has left me with intermittent headaches and a blocked nose.  On Saturday my face began to ache and by Sunday I had the biggest headache.   Headaches that paracetamol don't touch can be one of the warning signs for TTP and I was thinking it was time to be tested.    The hospital is a 50 mile round trip but my lovely husband drives me without complaining.  I'm usually able to choose the time because it's booked a month in advance and we go for midmorning so we don't have to rush.  Yesterday I reported to reception and was crossed off the paper blood test only list.  A name was called, not mine but close enough to make me look up.  The name was called again and then the receptionist stood up and just called the forename.   I walke...

I admit, this is a bit of a rant.  And I know I'm not alone.  I was born in the later half of the 1950s and I can't claim my State Pension until I'm 66 years old.  Despite going back to work when my children went to school and caring for an aged parent who lived with us throughout his last years, and living with a chronic, life threatening condition, I can't claim a penny. I really am looking forward to my state pension.  I do consider I have earned it and I'm owed years of back pension by the government.  When I left school at 16 years old, so full of hope, I never thought for one moment I would be where I am now.  I have made a small donation to the Waspi Appeal.  I've also given small amounts to Unicef, Water Aid, and others because I know they are far worse off than me.   On the brightside,  I have amazing family and friends.  The NHS has saved my life and that of others with chronic conditions although its crying out for help i...