Since I started these meds, I've gone in every 2 days to get my levels checked. Since Friday, it's gone DOWN -- by a good bit -- instead of up. We don't know why.

The goal is to get me to clot within a range of 20 to 30 seconds (which apparently is an abnormally long time). To test your level, they prick your finger -- the whole thing looks just like a diabetic glucose meter.

The finger stick is the size of a pinhead. Yesterday it took me FIVE MINUTES to stop the bleeding from it.

Nope, guess I won't be cutting anytime soon. Still sucks that I no longer have the option! I guess I'll just have to get myself addicted to Xanax instead. ;-)

Thanks for all the hugs and help.

Love, Candy