Results - Part 1

I saw my primary care physician on Friday and blood work was ordered - platelet count, ANA level and thyroid levels. The platelet count is one that is done immediately, and unfortunately by yesterday afternoon I found a message on our answering machine saying my count was 19,000. As we were out most of yesterday, the doctor on call called again at 10:30pm, stating her concern, blah blah blah, I've heard it all before.

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. More like crushed. I need to see the other results before I have a clear picture of things. It will probably be several more days before I know the rest of the picture.

It's frustrating. I have no symptoms that go with a low platelet count. I have a paper cut, I don't bleed more than any normal person. I'm not having nose or gum bleeds, or other symptoms that usually go along with a low platelet count. I know it was 110,000 February 2008, which was below the norm but not alarming; what happened since then? Physical therapy has made the pain worse, not better. I was doing so much better in late February/early March, but I just can't seem to get back to that place. I wonder what my platelet count would have been then if I had a chance to see the doctor at that time.

So I'm now back in horrible pain, low platelet count and my spirits are pretty down. Basically right where I was six months ago.

It's a Sunday. Nothing I can do. Today the plan is to do some work from home, and to maybe work on priming our downstairs woodwork in the kitchen, dining room and bathroom area as we're getting Villa Stone tile put in in a few weeks. We already painted the woodwork in our living room white shortly after we moved in, and it looks amazing. It's been a goal of mine to paint the rest of it, and now I have motivation to at least finish the first floor before the new flooring is in. That way I don't have to worry if a little white paint gets on our current cheap vinyl flooring. I was waiting until I felt better, but now I'm not convinced that will ever happen. Life goes on.

Maybe the other tests will show some improvement, but maybe they won't. Until I know those results I have no options but to wait. I know this is a "downer" in regards to a post, but I'm pretty down right now and to write with positivity and happiness would be a complete lie. As I've mentioned before, this is not just an update for those I know, but a record for myself to refer to for future doctors visits and who knows what else in the future. Don't worry about me, I'm unfortunately used to all of this. And after my last physical therapy appointment next week I should be back to minimal back pain, so at least the surgery fixed something.