Skip to main content

Early Diagnosis Saves Lives

When I was first diagnosed with TTP I was told that any subsequent episode would be like walking down a hill.  With regular Adamts 13 blood checks there is a safety net, but it’s background, it doesn’t show up in routine tests.  Although a full relapse does, you really don't want to wait that long.   Even with a diagnosis, if you begin to feel unwell, it’s important to be tested early rather than sit and worry, or brush it under the carpet. 


It seems to me, and I might be wrong, that many people’s Adamts13, slip rather than walk.   Of course, we are all different and we all get colds, tummy upsets etc, and you have to be realistic that we are not immune from more ordinary things.  I was also told that any headache that wasn’t relieved by paracetamol needs listening to.   If it really does feel like more then we do need a blood test for reassurance if nothing else.


I’ve had a busy time recently.  This weekend we’ve been away camping again, just for one night.   We spent a day at the races, not a regular occurrence for us, but a new experience.  Not a bad one, the horses were just beautiful, although I do like to stay the other side of fence.   I’ve had a cough, and a cold, and I’m feeling shattered.  Today is a lazy day, not a day in bed, that’s not my way, but another rest day of taking things easy.   But I am confident that any feelings of tiredness are down to my body just needing a rest.  And the reassuring fact that my Adamts 13 was high just a month ago.  I'm enormously grateful for the care given to me.


I know that some will say I bang on about TTP, and I've had people unfriend me on Facebook.   It doesn't bother me.  I admit I'm happier writing here, rather than constantly pushing it under friends' noses, but my real friends support me and know why I do it.   Early diagnosis saves lives!


Sadly people do die when TTP is not recognised early enough for emergency medical treatment to begin.  I've been told that in the past patients have been turned away from emergency rooms because their symptoms have been mistaken for drunkenness.   Others have received incorrect treatment or no treatment at all while investigation takes place.  Early diagnosis saves lives!  I will continue to say this.


TTP Network for info


My mindfulness photo from this trip away is two Peahens with their chicks.  Such a surprise,  and a first for me.  The chicks appear to be very young.  New life, always a joy and a leveller 🥰.  


Hope you all find your mindfulness moment today.  Be kind and listen to others.   Life can be fragile.   ðŸ˜˜


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

31st October 2024, I'm A Halloween Grinch 🎃

I don't like Halloween.   It's origins or the 21st Century version. Right from it's beginnings it has been about death and spirits of the dead.  I always say I'm not superstitious,  but somethings shouldn't be messed with.  Halloween, or All Hallows Eve, has been turned from a Celtic tradition to ward off evil and spirits, to a commercial nightmare.  I know that many will say that nowadays it's just a bit of fun, but like my fear of spiders, its maybe instinct.  Maybe its the near death experiences that TTP survivors have, a little too close to home. Winter in this part of the world brings darkness and cold, something that the Celtic people took seriously.   If any misfortune befell them in the winter, they likely didn't survive.  For a while the Christian form of All Hallows Eve became a time when the poorest folk would beg at more wealthy folk’s doors for food, in return for offering prayers.  Now children are encouraged to trick ...

21st October 2024, Newcastle, Gateshead, Angel of the North

This weekend away was not my choice but my husband's.   To be fair I've had my weekends away and it was his turn.   Of course,  it involved football.   BHA v Newcastle.  It's on his list of dreams.  What would my grandfather,  a supporter,  think of us flying to Newcastle to watch a match? We flew with Easyjet, cabin bags under our seats, and limited amount of cloths.  I've never travelled for a weekend before knowing that I would need to wash undies.  My meds (not TTP related) took up more space than my toiletries!   We arrived exhausted, but driving would have been so much worse. We ignored our own travel tip and landed after sunset.  It's disorienting to land in the dark when you have no idea where you are.  Flight delayed at both ends, we took the Metro from the airport to the city centre, it was delayed en route, and then we left the station by the wrong exit.  It resulted in us walking more t...

23rd September 2024 Apple Pies, Not Quite How Grandma Made Them 😉

I get a lot of recipe videos on my social media feeds.  Many claim to be just how someone's Grandmother showed them.  I often doubt it's true.  I'm older, of course, so possibly I'm thinking of days from long ago.  My Grandma, Nanny we called her, was born more than 100 years ago.  She had a large family and undoubtedly did make pies, but I don't think they had desserts.  She would have made pastry, she didn't have a fridge, and I have seen her cooker in a museum 🥰.   Nanny had access to fresh veg because Grandad had an allotment and she kept her own hens and rabbits.  She didn't leave a recipe book, but she left a healthy brood of children. The old apple tree in our garden has withered this year.  Although it had buds, it didn't produce any blossom so no apples.  We couldn't bring ourselves to remove it, and we'll give it another chance next spring.   I do know it will be something of a miracle if it fruits again. My nei...