Hello, Rose! ET is so uncommon. No wonder you feel so alone.

But here, from Lori and so many others, you'll get excellent advice and support.

That low-dose aspirin you're taking is helping keep your cardiovascular system running smoothly.

And if your specialist recommends hydrea (HU), be assured that while side effects are possible, lots of us take it with no problems whatsoever.

My oncologist started me on just 1 500mg capsule a week. Over the next months, the dose gradually increased. For me, 10 500mg capsules a week turned out to be the effective dose.

It's taken almost a year to bring my platelet count down into the 500s, but at last I have my energy back! For me, HU has made a wonderful difference.

As Lori advises, HU lowers our resistance, so protect yourself with a mask when around lots of people. HU also makes us more vulnerable to sun damage. So do garden tasks in the early morning or the evening, and always wear a wide-brimmed hat when you're outside.

You're among friends! Welcome, Rose!