Porridge for Breakfast, The Ordinary Life of a TTP Survivor

It seems I've learnt somethings about life and myself in the last few weeks.  Despite all my denials,  I can still revert to being a wobbly jelly when it comes to my health.  I should trust myself more. I knew a while back that something was wrong,  although I was determined to suppress the feelings of fear that I could be edging closer to that cliff.   When I did eventually go to the medical centre because of feeling shaky and having a lingering cough, I was asked why I hadn't gone before.   I guess the real reason was that I take enough from the NHS and I didn't want to waste anyone's time.  I should have gone before.  My TTP levels are tested regularly,  and the knowledge that Adamts13 is high is reassuring.  I have said in the past that I shouldn't blame TTP for everything.  I knew that the way I felt wasn't OK, and yet I let it continue.  I don't have any medical knowledge beyond my own experience.  It does ...

Despite having a horrible virus, and feeling complete crap, my Adamts13 has thankfully remained  above 103!  Phew, time to celebrate.   I had prepared myself for a fall.  TTP is still taking me by surprise.   I'm grateful for the blood tests, and for the care I'm given. We woke to sunshine and because it can vanish behind clouds in the wink of an eye, we quickly gathered some bits and drove to Bossington.  Bossington is NT and has a good car park (daily charges apply).  It can get busy but there is an overflow,  which is actually so much nicer for picnics,  on grass and under blossom.   It's really pretty.   We find the footpaths a bit of a maze.  Some are hedged, and you can easily take a turn inland when you want the beach, but it's worth exploring.  There are plenty of signposts and once on the Marsh you can see for miles.   You can climb up through Allerford Woods, or just just stay on the...

Spring has well and truly arrived in our garden.   Nature is amazing,  moving us on despite the amount of rain and cold winds we have had.  Farmers are struggling to plant seed, crops are rotting in the fields, yet the weeds and perennials are up and running.  Pests too, have found their way into the greenhouse and plants that were placed there for protection have been nibbled away to nothing.   So annoying.  I've just removed 8 snails 🐌!   The aubergine that I bought has completely disappeared,  the pot is now on my kitchen window sill to give it a second chance.  Beer traps are at the ready. Here are a few phone pics, just for the record.  Our old lady, Cherry, has flowered again.  The birds eat the fruit on this one, usually very early in the morning! The Pear has plenty of blossom,  despite still being a young tree.  Blossom on the Plum has finished.   Still very few be...

I had my Adamts13 checked again this week.  It may be an overreaction but I realised that my advice to anyone on the TTP Network Support Page would be to get their bloods done.  The team at my shared care centre couldn't have been kinder, vitals were all checked and full blood counts taken plus Adamts13 sent off to Specialist Centre.  Normal tests were all fine, of course,  I have to wait for Adamts13 as they take longer.  I'm on my second course of antibiotics and I have another chest Xray booked for May.  It's frustrating,  not scary but there's a niggling question mark in the back of my mind.  Although I do understand what TTP is, I don't really know what has triggered my relapses in the past.  I'm grateful for the care and support that I have from everyone around me. I am tired of sitting around.   Go home and rest is the advice given, and to be honest my energy levels are so low I don't feel like getting up to much.  Yeste...

Easter has passed in a blaze of coughs and colds.  We've had the best time we could but nearly all of us had something.  We spent time on the beach and the parks, getting some fresh air and gentle exercise,  napping in the afternoon.   Our family went home earlier than planned.   I honestly think our weather doesn't help, some sunshine is much needed.  I've had a cough for weeks,  if not longer, and I knew it was time to ask for help.   My Adamts13 was checked in March and was 103, amazing,  but it needs to remain there.  Any attack on my immune system causes my TTP concerns to rear their ugly heads and I've waited long enough.  It's time to get this sorted.  Fingers crossed my April Adamts13 will have remained unchanged.   April will be a month of waiting and symptom checking. Our local medical centre has a strange booking system for appointments.   If you want an appointment for ...