Report from the Platelet Factory. Battle Damage, production slowing! 2 weeks of Hydroxyurea.

[stillkicking]

The production line for wonky platelets had been thundering along at full steam ahead for a number of months and the grimy windows of the old factory building rattled as machinery, puffed, thumped and banged 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Share holders were delighted, the wicked Big Boss bought a blue Bugatti sports car, and weary workers were patted on the head and exhorted to work harder still. The factory Bean Counters reported that from the 15th of January to the 1st of March, platelets had kept above 1255, and even hit 1284 in February. Then, one evening, early in March it all began to change.. A nasty smell emanated from the staff cafeteria. There were troubles with the drains. A dozen of the best workers suddenly contracted a tummy bug and had to go home sick. Machinery broke down. There were rumours of sabotage. Morale sagged, and, when a production audit was done on the 15th of March, wonky platelets had dropped from their heady heights and were down to 1118. The factory chemist, is muttering, "Hydroxyurea"... and giggling nervously, but.. so far, no one suspects him of foul play!

In summary...., Yippee..... Delighted to report that there has been a modest drop in platelet numbers since commencing Hydroxyurea 2 weeks ago. Nothing hugely dramatic, but it is a definite move in the right direction (1255 down to 1118). I am now feeling quite good. Digestion has settled down and taking one 500ml pill a day after lunch is working well for me. I had some concerns that the Hydroxyurea would further diminish my rather limited energy levels, but... much to my surprise, I feel slightly stronger if anything. I am taking care to avoid the high UV sun we have here in New Zealand... a hat for the head, and, if possible am keeping in doors from 10am until 5pm. I have factor 50+ sunscreen that I apply if I really have to go out, but it would take a very real effort to plaster enough of it over me to completely protect.

Thank you for all the supportive comments in my previous posts, it has been delightful getting to know my MPN family a bit better.

[Pippa63]

Good news , they seem to be driving in the right direction! Your posts make me smile .. Thankyou

[stillkicking in reply to Pippa63]

Thank you Pippa, I'm delighted that you are enjoying the posts, I'm rediscovering my sense of humour writing them!

[bruddery]

Well you certainly cheered up my morning. Great news and great story too. Good luck. Janice

[stillkicking in reply to bruddery]

Thank you Janice, glad to bring good cheer!

[bordeauxgirl]

What a good laugh you gave me this morning, recently got back from NZ and really felt the effects of the sun ( kept forgetting ) my sun protecting cream, but now you are in autumn you should be able to ease off, I generally tan so easy but everything changes with this condition eh? I too am on Hydroxy, so well aware of the perils of not following the 'rules'. Thanks for the laugh. best wishes June.

[stillkicking in reply to bordeauxgirl]

Hello June,

Glad that you were able to visit NZ recently, I hope the weather was kind to you when you were here. We seem to have had a rather turbulent few months, what with ex tropical cyclones wobbling their wicked way over here, then unusually hot for a few days, followed by distinctly chilly! All most entertaining, but frustrating if you get caught in it as a traveler! I've always had the sort of skin that turns into a boiled lobster even on some overcast days, so this Hydroxy thing is a bit of a worry. I'll just have to wear a suit of armour, or sneak about by moonlight like a nocturnal animal. Glad my post caused a merry laugh! Best Wishes to you too Peter

[mhos61]

Great analogy Peter, as always you convey your ET journey through lighthearted imagery, and brighten all our day.

Seriously, it’s fantastic news that you have responded to hydrea in this short timeframe. I’m sure this trend will continue.

Keep us updated

Mary x

[stillkicking in reply to mhos61]

Hello Mary,

Lovely to hear from you. Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and the thoughtful comments that you give to so many of us on this forum, it is much appreciated. Very happy to be able to brighten and bring cheer, I know that this MPN thing can be a very real burden, and it is nice to be able to fight back with humour! Kind Thoughts, Peterxx

[Superwoman]

Brilliant news, love the commentary has given me good laugh this afternoon while it is chucking it down with snow yet again ❄️☃️

[stillkicking in reply to Superwoman]

More snow, good grief! I wish we could redirect it down here! I read just yesterday that our Southern Alps are frighteningly short of snow and ice after a ridiculously hot summer, so all donations of snow and ice are gladly accepted! Even our seas were 6 degrees hotter than they should have been.

[Superwoman]

Oh forgot to say, also have friend coming here on Monday from Aus, they are going to feel it big time.

Keep the banter up it’s news to our ears.

Jean

[stillkicking in reply to Superwoman]

The prospect of your visitors from Australia encountering snow in the frozen North would definitely bring a chuckle to some of us in NZ... it is the trans-Tasman rivalry thing! Imagine, one moment driving the old Holden Ute along ruler straight dusty roads through an endless parched landscape, beneath a blazing sun. The only deviation from the straight and narrow trajectory of the speeding vehicle is when it dodges a kangaroo, or camel... Then a weary 30 hours of airports and planes later, it is 15 degrees below zero and 7 feet of snow! A definite shock to the system! :-). Hope you all have a great time, in spite of the chilly weather! Peter

[Wentry]

That's great news Peter! Your posts are always very entertaining you should be a writer as well as a potter 😁 Let's hope the platelet count continues in the same direction 😉 It's definitely getting chilly at night but beautiful and sunny here in Wellington today 😎

Wendy

[stillkicking]

Hi Wendy,

Good to hear from you. I was amazed at the chilly start to the day today when I ventured outside to feed the cat at 6am. Warm now, but quite a brisk breeze blowing. I notice poplars starting to turn to their autumn colour, but willow trees still summer green. Kind Thoughts from us down here, Peter

[Mica11]

What an entertaining read with my morning tea, thank you for the laughs! I'm pleased to hear the H is doing it's thing for you and may it continue to do so. Think I may just have a follow up coffee now as I'm in no hurry to walk the dog in the snow.

Do you want a laugh? I have my factor 50 ready and waiting in the cupboard, the joke? I live in NE Scotland...our summer could be one day in May!

Grace

[stillkicking in reply to Mica11]

Good morning Grace, I was amused by your factor 50 in the cupboard, but it does show a great faith and strength of character to have that factor 50 ready and waiting for the moment when a summer's day arrives! Living near Dunedin in the South Island of NZ gives us remarkable variety of weather, warm when the Norwester blows, and desperately cold in and out of winter when the southerly breathes Antarctic air over us! My wife's father was from Fort William so Scotland is dear to our hearts. Best wishes, Peter

[Mica11 in reply to stillkicking]

Being born Scottish lends itself to being an optimist and also instills a very healthy sense of humour because our weather is so bad. We just shrug our shoulders and depending on who we are talking to, either swear or laugh and get on with it! Grace.

[stillkicking in reply to Mica11]

I think it is a bit like that down here too, the small population, and a degree of isolation means you have to make your own entertainment, and "do it yourself" if something breaks or needs sorting out. There is quite a strong Scottish heritage at this end of the country, and a wee bit further South than Dunedin NZ English takes on some Scottish sounds, the rolled "rrrr" for "r" is the most obvious example of that, but I can hear it sometimes in words like "soot" where the "ooo" is more extended. It is rather nice.

[Mica11 in reply to stillkicking]

Haha! We are a bit like a virus, us Scots, we get everywhere. More of us live away from Scotland than in it...we like to share our "ooo's"

[stillkicking in reply to Mica11]

Ha, ha, bless you!

[Vicky_b]

Great news and what a fantastic story too! ☺

[stillkicking in reply to Vicky_b]

Thanks Vicky!

[lizzziep]

Good news and a good laugh too! Hope the platelets keep going in the right direction. Like others here in the UK we've got rather a lot of snow, and like everywhere ele in the UK, everything comes to a standstill at the sight of the first flake!

Best wishes

Lizzie

[stillkicking in reply to lizzziep]

Hi Lizzie,

Snowflakes can be fun.... for a while..., but it sounds like you all have had and overabundance of them in your part of the world! We don't have a lot of snow here, but do manage to have 2 or 3 days most years where our main road gets blocked by snow for a few hours. It is quite a treat when that happens as we have some respite from the swish and roar of traffic on our busy road!

[Roger41]

I too have made a rather amusing story.

I have Et living in my shed he wears a huge stripy Mexican blanket but does not know it's impregnated with a weed killer called hydroxycarbinmine.

At night he sits on the wyre light and glows in the dark and uses a push bike to peddle the light as he tries to phone home.

His power pack is depleting and with a bit of luck this illegal immigrant will give up.

[stillkicking in reply to Roger41]

Hi Roger41,

Your story gave me a smile when I read it in the early hours of this morning. When I went back to sleep again I had a really strange dream about having to clean out the fridge because it had radioactive cheese in it that glowed in the dark! I suspect that your story might have had an influence in this! I love your vivid image of Et, the illegal immigrant... and the blanket that is laced with hydroxy weed killer! Wonderful stuff!

[VKH422]

Love this! Let's hope all there's a mass 'down tools' from the workers. Glad you've started to head in the right direction 😁

[stillkicking]

Hi VKH422,

I'll keep up the industrial sabotage, and regularly slip something nasty into the worker's afternoon tea! All good fun!

[Johnsb]

Great news, praying that it continues to drop!

[stillkicking in reply to Johnsb]

Thank you John. I see you posted once on the forum quite a while ago and do hope things are going well for you and your PV is being managed OK. Kind thoughts, Peter