How Winnie Bradford treated high hematocrit?

Note - This article is written by one of our patients about their experiences with high hematocrit.

Winnie Bradford here; I recently learned startling information regarding my health. I started feeling chronically tired only a few months after I wed Daniel, the love of my life. I made the decision to see Dr. Andrews, my family physician, out of concern for my wellbeing.

Dr. Andrews was a kind and skilled medical professional who carefully listened to my symptoms. She prescribed a number of tests to look into the root of my exhaustion, including a standard blood test to assess my hematocrit level, which gauges the quantity of red blood cells in my blood.

Dr. Andrews had a serious look on his face when I returned to the office to discuss the findings. She informed me that my hematocrit level, at 60.3%, was much higher than the typical range for women, which is between 36% and 46%. I struggled to understand the significance of this discovery while feeling confused and anxious. Dr. Andrews informed me that we would collaborate to identify the root problem and create a suitable treatment strategy.

Note - More stories from other patients at the end of this page

I had additional examinations and discussions with numerous experts over the following few weeks. I was diagnosed with polycythemia, a disorder marked by an excessive production of red blood cells, by a haematologist. Blood thickening brought on by polycythemia might result in potential side effects such blood clots and strokes. Although the polycythemia in my situation was not a primary bone marrow disorder, it was classed as secondary polycythemia, meaning it was brought on by an underlying ailment.

I was found to have renal cell carcinoma, a rare kind of kidney cancer, as a result of the extra tests. The diagnosis came as a heartbreaking blow because she was only 27 and had just been married. Although the prospect of dealing with cancer was daunting, I was able to find courage and optimism thanks to my husband Daniel's constant support.

We all attended a meeting with an oncology team to go over the various treatment possibilities. The surgical resection of the kidney tumour was decided to be the appropriate course of action due to the early stage of the cancer. I had the procedure done by the talented surgeon Dr. Anderson, and I started down the road to recovery.

After the tumour was successfully removed, I started a strict postoperative care schedule. This involved routine examinations, checking my hematocrit levels, and taking precautions to prevent any consequences. Daniel was by my side the entire time, giving me love, solace, and steadfast hope.

My hematocrit levels slowly reverted to normal over time, showing that the malignancy was in remission. My energy and enthusiasm for life returned, and I began to treasure each moment and recognise the small pleasures all around me. I learned from the experience how important it is to be resilient, how important it is to get regular checkups, and how powerful love and support can be.

Today, I embrace my path and work to spread knowledge about polycythemia and the possible repercussions of high haemoglobin concentrations. By telling my story, I hope to not only encourage those who are going through similar struggles but also drive home how important early detection is in the fight against cancer.

We are frequently surprised by life, and occasionally those surprises are not pleasant. But it's amid trying times that our inner strength shines through. We find the strength to endure even the darkest of circumstances with the love and support of our loved ones. I am forever grateful for the priceless lessons my path has taught me since it has demonstrated to me the perseverance of the human spirit.

How Winnie Bradford treated high hematocrit?

People also viewed:

About Us

Other links