Welcome to My 60th Birthday Virtual PDSA ITP 5K Fundraiser!
Welcome to this year’s Virtual Pump It Up For Platelets 5K fundraiser!
AKA, Cathy’s 60th Birthday Fundraiser!
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to get together in person this year, but we’re still determined to do our best to continue spreading awareness about ITP. I greatly appreciate all of your love and support throughout my journey since I was diagnosed in 2006*.
*I had been feeling exhausted for months, and knew it had to be more than just being a mom to my four busy children. I had always been very healthy, so I was shocked to be diagnosed with SLE (lupus) and ITP, not just one, but two, autoimmune diseases. My days became filled with doctors appointments, labs, a bone marrow biopsy, treatments, infusion centers, and research. I've been hospitalized twice, and have had many different treatments...Rituxan, IVIg, Imuran, Cellcept, Dapsone, Prednisone, Myfortic. Despite my low platelet counts, I remain hopeful in finding the right treatment for me.
As I reflect on my journey, I know it hasn’t been easy...the beginning was definitely a whirlwind of emotions and lifestyle adjustments. At the 10 year mark, I hit a low point...I was tired of dealing with my diseases. But, after I got over the “why me?!” moment again, I decided it was time to make changes. I worked with my hematologist/oncologist and rheumatologist to taper off all ITP and Lupus medications to see how my body would react with no treatments. Having tried so many different treatments, some concurrently, I really didn’t know what was working. I longed to be drug-free! This journey has been difficult, stressful, and tiring, but also, interesting, inspiring and amazing. I know that my journey is not over, and I remain hopeful.
2020 update: I’m back on an immunosuppressant drug after a painful bout with iritis, inflammation of the iris. But, for the most part, my platelet count remains pretty stable...40,000-50,000 (normal 150,000-450,000), with the occasion drop. I’ve been going stir crazy at home with our new Covid normal...my doctors did a good job of scaring me into staying home! I can’t wait to get out again, and back to traveling and eating out! Until then, thank you “Goldbelly” for delivering us our foodie favorites from across the country.
Discovering PDSA, and attending my first conference in Las Vegas, NV in 2010, had such an impact on me. My husband, family, and friends were all so supportive, but here, I finally felt that I wasn't alone dealing with ITP. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by others who understood, and were personally experiencing similar issues. I am so grateful to the amazing PDSA staff and medical advisors for their wealth of knowledge and involvement in this organization. PDSA just held their first ever virtual conference a few weeks ago. They did an amazing job...and we were still able to hear information and updates from the medical advisors, as well as connect with other ITP patients.
Thank you to PDSA for raising awareness and supporting people with ITP. I am so fortunate have met so many strong, amazing people including Melissa Hilsabeck, Leilani de Castro, and Kelly Torres, who are part of our local networking group in Orange County.
I hope you can support me by joining "TEAM ALDAMA" and donating to our Virtual Pump It Up for Platelets 5K fundraiser, and help us to continue spreading the word on ITP awareness and PDSA! We can all make a difference!
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