Introduction
I started this blog because I have recently been diagnosed with a Myelodysplastic Syndrome for which I am undergoing a bone marrow transplant (BMT). This blog is a way for me to keep my family and friends updated with my current status and condition. If it can help anyone else who doesn’t even know me, I’m delighted and would be glad to respond to emails or posts.
Following are links to sites that I have found to be good sources of information on MDS. If you go to these sites, it may help to know that the type of MDS I have is Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts (RAEB).
A brief description of myelodysplasia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome
MDS Foundation
MDS Hub
As for Bone Marrow Transplants, the book, Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of Basics For Patients, on the Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMTinfonet) web site has good, easy-to-understand basic information, especially in the 1st chapter, "The Nuts and Bolts of Bone Marrow Transplants."
Following are links to sites that I have found to be good sources of information on MDS. If you go to these sites, it may help to know that the type of MDS I have is Refractory Anemia with Excess Blasts (RAEB).
A brief description of myelodysplasia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome
MDS Foundation
MDS Hub
As for Bone Marrow Transplants, the book, Bone Marrow Transplants: A Book of Basics For Patients, on the Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network (BMTinfonet) web site has good, easy-to-understand basic information, especially in the 1st chapter, "The Nuts and Bolts of Bone Marrow Transplants."
3 Comments:
Hi Justin,
I was diagnosed with MDS-RA in February of this year. I am a 51 year old male, living in Johannesburg, South Africa. As I have a perfect match in my sister, who is 2 years older than I, I have opted for a BMT this year. The BMT will be scheduled for October altough no date has yet been set. My sister will be harvested on September 17th.
I wish you all the best for your tarnsplant and will follow your progress on your site.
Regards
Eric
Hello, Eric
Good to hear from you. It appears we're about 1 year and several thousand miles apart, but in very similar situations. I'd love to hear more about your case. Why will the harvest happen so much before the transplant?
At any rate, I also wish you the best for your transplant.
Hi Justin.
Some background.
In August 2002, I went to see my GP as I then had recurring flu-like symptoms. The GP did the blood count, which came back with low red and white blood counts as well as low platelets. She assumed this to be as a result some viral infection and said I should go back to her once I had got rid of the flu. I told her that I would then have to wait a long time and ignored the issue.
As part of our corporate culture here, senior managers are supposed to have yearly full medical check-ups at the company costs. For the first time, I took the opportunity in January of this year and AGAIN all three counts were LOW, and this doctor suggested I pursue with a specialist. And this is where I am at present.
As far as my sister's harvesting is concerned, my oncolist prefers to do this at least 2 to 4 weeks before the recipient procedure. Seeing that my sister lives some 800 kms from me, I guess this is not a bad option in case of complications from her harvesting.
Regards for now,
Eric
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