Another Positive Result of MDS

10/13/16 – Let me start by saying I am so thankful for the uneventful summer I had. It was a summer full of fun with family and friends. Life is meant to be lived and I tried my best to make the most of it. Now we are in fall... my favorite time of the year... there are such beautiful colors, great weather, apple and pumpkin picking… which become apple crisp, apple pies, pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie… truly some of the greatest seasonal treats. It’s just an awesome time of the year.

Also with this fall season it was time for my periodic bone marrow biopsy to see where I stand with MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome) which fist showed up in March and again in April.

Well once again MDS has shown as positive. It does seem with each test result the MDS impacts more cells. The good news is that my MDS condition is considered as low risk. Also my blood counts continue to be pretty good. Saying this, based on my heath history, it may be best to take an aggressive approach and treat it versus following a wait and watch approach. Treatment options being considered for me are:

1.       Having another DLI.

2.      Chemotherapy with a drug called Vidaza

3.      Continue with a wait and watch approach

As a follow up we are going to do another check of my blood counts on Tuesday, November 1^st to see if there are any changes. In the meantime, my awesome transplant team will be looking into studies, literature, and speak with The John Theurer Cancer Center leukemia team to see what the best course of action is.

I have plenty of confidence and trust in the medical team… and my faith in Christ is a huge comfort… I just know I will be OK.

I just need to keep busy, keep moving and to BE POSITIVE!!!

Here is a link to a great song by tobyMAC that brings home this point. The song is called “Move (Keep Walking)”. Enjoy!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX1G71WK-FA

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

More to come…

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