Heartaches and Miracles: My Struggle with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

€œBut I don't feel sick. Why do I have to stay here in the hospital?€ I stubbornly asked the emergency room doctor, and he replied in an exasperated voice, €œBecause you are one sick chick. Your platelets are down to 2000. You are going upstairs to PCU and you are going to stay there until I say you can go home.€ I (Greta Burroughs) was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called ITP (Idiopathic or Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura) in April 2005. At that time, I knew very little about platelets, CBC€s, corticosteroids and other factors that would play a significant role in my well-being for the rest of my life. Since that time, I have researched autoimmune disorders and ITP and have spoken with a number people who also suffer from this chronic blood disease. I kept a journal describing my relapses, treatments, successes and failures and wrote up all this information so that I could share it with others who are also fighting this illness. Heartaches and Miracles is a combination biography, research information and pep talk for anyone suffering with ITP or for family members and friends who want to understand what this disease is all about. There are excerpts from other ITPers who have been on or are still on the never ending roller coaster ride of steroids, surgery and other types of medications and treatments. There are no cures for ITP or for any autoimmune disorder for that matter. The treatments and medications can have terrible side effects, but the disease can be controlled in most people. It can be a hard road filled with relapses and disappointments but with a positive attitude and support from friends and family, there is hope. Heartaches and Miracles was written as a form of chicken soup for the ITP soul to give encouragement and strength to those affected by this blood disorder. Reading how others have coped, hopefully will give those newly diagnosed a glimpse of what to expect and give everyone with ITP a new hope for tomorrow.