Essential Thrombocythemia, MPN

I was told that since I had a high platelet count, I would be perfect to be a platelet donor. I donated platelets every 3 weeks for several years. At one point, I was told that my count was so high that I was unable to donate. I went to the doctor shortly after, and he sent me to a hematologist. He ran more tests and found I have the JAK2 mutation and diagnosed me with Essential Thrombocythemia or ET.

I was told that this is a very rare form of blood cancer and that "watch and wait" was the protocol for this particular form of cancer. Since the disease was rare, I wanted the input of someone with expertise. I went to a doctor at Weil/Cornell NY Presbyterian since they have an entire department dedicated to MPNs. I was given a bone marrow biopsy to ensure that this was a correct diagnosis. I was put on Pegasys interferon in hopes that it would delay the progression to a more serious cancer such as Myelofibrosis or leukemia.