Hi @divaterry, Well, dare I say welcome? I’m sure the news of having ET or essential thrombocythemia came as an unexpected surprise. In the grand scheme of things you’ve gone through in recent years with breast and lung cancer, ET most likely won’t be as life changing for you.
The mutation with the JAK2 gene, basically bypasses the ‘off’ switch for cell production. In the case of ET it is generally the platelet production that isn’t being patrolled. Without the ‘supervisor’ the cells keep producing at a higher than normal rate. Too many platelets can be an issue with potential blood clotting, stroke, etc. Medications such as hydroxyurea are often used to help control the blood cell levels to a more normal level. So this becomes more of a chronic disease than the cancers you’ve had that require more aggressive treatments.

As you’ve already noticed, there are quite a few members who also have been diagnosed with ET. You’re in just one of many discussions on the subject. Here is a list for links to other conversations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
Feel free to join in any of the discussions!

Have you started the Hydroxyurea (HU) yet?