Exactly two months ago today, I was officially diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). Idiopathis means that the cause is unknown. Thrombocytopenic means that I have a very low blood platelet count. Purpura means that I easily bruise. Unofficially I have been dealing with it since the middle of August and today it shows no signs of letting up. After trying two different types of steriods with no sustainable improvement, other treatments have started. I am currently going through four treatments of something called Rituxin. Through a serious of four sessions, I recieve 1,000 ml each session of a solution through IV. I had my second session yesterday. What this is supposed to do is seperate the antibodies from the blood platelets so that the spleen does not continue to destroy the platelets as it takes out the antibodies. My platelet count yesterday was 5,000. I have been told that I will never reach the normal level of 150,000+ ever again. But the goal is to stablize my count at a safe level, whatever that may be. It's a tough concept to swallow, but I keep moving forward.
Though there are some days where I feel that my body is plagued with an incureable disease. I also realize that there is a much Higher Power that dwels within me. For that I am very grateful. God is at work through this I know very well. Though I might not be able to see the clear picture os it all right now; I know that in the end it will all work out according to His plan. Due to what my body is going through, I basically have no immune system, well I have one but it is very week. Therefore, I have to avoid large groups of people; including church. Tomorrow will be the third week in a row that I have not been able to worship with my church family. This deeply saddens me. I am forever grateful for the prayers that they are saying on my behalf as well as the cards/notes of encouragement that continue to come my way. This has been very humbling for me as I am not one to accept sympathy very well.
Things continue to move along on the farm the best they can. With me being laid up, mom and dad have had to pitch in more and are doing a wonderful job. The cattle trailer is within sight of being finished. It took it's first test run this past Saturday. Dad and I finished the electrical and got the wheels back on. All that is left is the plastic and the flooring; with the plastic hopefully getting ordered on Monday. I will admit, that for a couple rookies, the trailer has turned out very well. Dad and I are now proud owners of an eighteen foot, goosneck cattle trailer...wahoo!!! I have to laugh though. A couple neighbors are already eyeing it and wondering when we can redo their trailers. I guess I might have a side job next summer! :)
Hoping to clean some livestock lots today. It is muddy as ever, but I don't have a choice. Calves should have been weaned by now, but the lot hasn't gottened cleaned yet. With all the moisture lately and slow harvest, I am hoping to be able to spread on a neighbors bean field. I think that he will take the free fertilizer!
Blessings
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