Uneventful medical day with itchy stitches and a conversation / appointment with hematologist. Plan for Thursday blood test continues. Past splenectomy patients have seen big dips in platelet count prior to a steady rise, so it's too early to tell if there is an effect yet. I asked him to describe why this occurs. He admitted that the community really doesn't have an explanation for the physiology of this. I would agree with that.
It's further apparent to me that the understanding of immune system interaction with platelets is not understood at all on the cellular level, which I believe is where the answers to the mystery lie. I've also noticed over this past year that ITP patients are primarily satisfied with achieving a sustainable higher platelet count level, even if that level is still significantly lower than normal. The acceptance of living with the condition is high. So, attaining the clear understanding of the chemical or physiological specifics of what is going on is left to the few researchers who want to make a drug that lets people continue on the merry way.
With that in mind, the doctor is supportive of pursuing options for chasing this mystery. He hopes that can be done with a sustainable platelet level, even if it's low.
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