@mmkennedy

mm -- you are in a really tough spot right now. Of course you feel baffled and scared.

Please know that many oncologists use bone marrow biopsies to confirm diagnosis. That one's been ordered for you doesn't have sinister connotations.

The day my ET was diagnosed, I too was warned a bone marrow transplant might be needed.

Maybe oncologists say this so that we will take our diagnosis seriously, and understand the importance of doing whatever we can to support the health of our bone marrow?

I get the scare tactic, but a message of hope would also be welcome!

I'll bet there will be a good alternative to taking aspirin.

Another med that may be mentioned to you is hydroxyurea (HU), which helps our bone marrow by tamping down the manic overproduction of platelets that is ET.

HU has greatly restored the quality of my life.

You can enter TPN in the search box at the top of this page to see other discussions on TPN ET.

You can learn a lot about HU in the same way.

You are NOT alone, mm.