Hi Tessa! I was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia in 2019 at the age of 64. My family doctor tried numerous treatments to reduce my red platelet count of 1200. Nothing worked so she sent me to a hematologist. He looked at my blood work and said he knew what I had but I needed to get a biopsy to show exactly what I had. The biopsy didn't hurt, in fact, I drove to work after it was done. My hematologist put me on Hydroxyurea and aspirin. I am feel healthy using the meds. I am now 69 and started to get shortness of breath. My hematologist said sometimes the pill causes that, and he told me to take Hydroxyurea every other day. I was worried that the treatment wouldn't work as good as when I was taking it every day. But it works and I no longer have breathing issues and my ET is controlled. Tessa, I don't blame you for being nervous and you should experience the gift of children. Maybe you will only need the aspirins. I have looked at many websites regarding ET. You can find answers to your questions and even answers that you didn't have questions of. I just type Essential Thrombocythemia and do a search. I will keep you in my thoughts. If you ever need to talk just email me 🙂