Yeah. April 7th. I was surprised by the cupcake picture. These days, birthdays have taken on a different kind of significance for me. I recently got in contact with a friend from high school who I hadn't heard from in 50 years. Unfortunately she has Parkinsons. We both have dark senses of humor and her birthday is tomorrow. We only celebrate the reality that we cheated death one more year, rather than make a big to-do about our birthdays. Our families think that we are "bent." But hey, I got leukemia 5 years ago and I'm still here, beating the odds.

Thank you for letting me know about the cupcake. Yes, I agree. Birthdays mean something quite different these days. I choose to celebrate every day I wake up, so am happy to hear when others who are on this odd journey have passed, or are passing another milestone. I'm sorry to hear about the expensive treatment... that i s a hefty sum per month... but the extensive fatigue etc., is also really tough to endure. I send all best wishes.

Dear Drosetti- I'm very sorry. I hope your doctors can find a way to get your body back on track where iron is concerned. I hear how frustrating (and even scary) it can be when we are doing our best and we do not see or feel the results desired. Please let us know as things move forward...Does the cupcake mean you are celebrating a birthday? I'm newish here and don't know... If so, Happy Birthday...

Ruby: I used to get blood transfusions, because I wasn't producing enough blood and they also thought I had internal bleeding issues. But they stopped giving me blood and only do the iron infusions. I don't have side effects from the iron, but I do have serious side effects when I'm iron depleted. Shortness of breath, like you can't believe (walking to the mailbox is a major undertaking), fatigue (I sleep a lot), and I have a nice "green" tint to my face. This really sucks. The Accrufer, from what I've read increases hemocrit and hemoglobin levels in 70% of users in 12 weeks. But it's $600 bucks a month.

I actually get blood transfusions and iron infusions. Do you get any side effects from it?