Good Luck to Everyone on this site. Here is a bit of my story for those who feel alone with their diagnosis.
I am 70 yo and was diagnosed with ET 21 years ago (triple negative). I have been on hydrea 1500mg 3 days a week and 1000 mg four days a week for the past 8 years or so. No side effects except for heartburn and if I take hydrea with a meal the heartburn is not as bad. Sometimes I need tums or pepcid or ginger if the heart burn gets worse.
When I was under age 60 I did not need to be on hydrea. Once I turned 60yo I was in a higher category for stroke so I was started on hydrea. I have been on baby aspirin daily for about 18 years. I have had 2 bone marrow biopsies in total. I am not sure if I have been lucky or I had skilled physicians but the biopsies were not that bad at all. I eat a whole foods diet and stay away from processed foods, keep my weight in the normal range and exercise regularly. I try to life the life I have and be grateful but I do acknowledge that someday I will die. I do have fears of ET transitioning to a worse diagnosis but I try not to dwell in this mindset as I am doing everything I know to be as healthy as I can. I leave in 10 days for a month in europe. My support socks are purchased and I am looking forward to some adventures. Wish me luck and I will check in with you when I return.