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[labellementeuse]

I mentioned, I think, that in order to avert a probable splenectomy I was going to try a treatment for my ITP while I was up here called rituximab or mabthera. The idea behind rituximab (which is usually used in post-chemo lymphoma patients, ironically enough) is that it targets the B cells which produce the antibodies that attack platelets, causing low platelet count blah blah boring blah. Anyway, I had four IV treatments, one a week for four weeks, and saw my platelet count come way up - like, 253, which is the highest it has ever been, as far as I know. Certainly the highest since last January. I didn't say anything here at the time because I'm paranoid and in some studies, although nearly all patients saw a dramatic increase, for about a third of them their count came right down again. However, I halved my prednisone intake and yesterday I had another test and my count... is still 253 (basically a fluke, being the same number, but hey.) So I halved it again, I'm now on 15mg every two days and I am just so relieved, guys. No splenectomy for me, nuh-uh! :)

The other health thing that I've been explicitly avoiding mentioning is that I've been on a sort-of diet, if you can call cutting all the crap out of my diet and going to the gym twice a week a diet. Whatever since mid-November I've lost 11 kilos and made my short-term goal (80 kilos. Yeah, I was 91 kilos, no, I don't really want to talk about it.) So, basically... I feel really great and totally capable of meeting my long-term goal (~65kgs) by May, June at the latest.

To top it all off? I got given six pairs of socks for Christmas and I still have five matching pairs. \o/



Now I have to find a final flatmate. Yeah, one of my flatmates dropped out. Yeah, I am kinda getting deja vu from last year. *rips out hair gently*

Comments

[labellementeuse.livejournal.com]

Dude, tell me about it. look forward to seeing you guys!