I have recently been diagnosed with MDS or Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
So my bone marrow is not growing correctly, causing immature blood cells (blasts) to grow and reproduce uncontrollably keeping my healthy cells (red, white and platelets) from growing correctly. If any of you watch "Good Morning America", Robin Roberts, one of the anchors on that show, had the same disease. Mine just came out of the blue, where as hers was due to some treatment she had for a previous breast cancer. Unfortunately mine is already at a high risk level. So, like Robin Roberts, I will need a bone marrow/stem cell transplant.
The positive part is that there is a chance for a cure with this form of cancer, if one can get a stem cell/bone marrow transplant. And I have found the leading doctors right here in Houston at MD Anderson! I am so fortunate that I am in very good health going into this! Another huge blessing is that they have identified four perfect matches for my bone marrow transplant. This is an unrelated person (my siblings were not able to be matched) who will donate their stem cells via a blood draw during an infusion process or bone marrow aspiration of the hip bone. It is the donor's choice.(Thank God for selfless, giving people throughout the world who are willing to change the life of someone they don't even know!!)
My MDS doctor's goal for me is to treat me with "gentle chemotherapy" for about 4-6 months. I am in my fourth cycle (each cycle lasts about a month) of chemo therapy. This includes infusions for 7 straight days and another pill for 3 days a week for 3 weeks. I am tolerating it well with minimal to moderate side effects. If everything goes well I will be going to transplant mode by March or April. That's where I will be hospitalized and receive heavy duty chemotherapy....the hair fall out, sick to your stomach kind. My immune system (white cells) will be killed out in order to allow the donor cells to engraph and take the place of the own cells. And I am told that for the first 100 days I will be closely monitored with frequent check ups. The most dangerous side effect of the transplant is Graph Versus Host Disease (GVHD) in which the donor's cells fight off my own healthy bodily organ cells. It can be mild (mouth sores, skin rashes) all the way to devastating consequences, including death. Of course other infections that may crop up are a real threat as well. My transplant doctor has informed me that 1/3 of the patients will not make it through the transplant process. Whenever I begin dwelling on the statistic, my "always optimistic" husband points out that the odds are in my favor, since two-thirds do make it!
For those who know me well, you know that I believe strongly in the power of prayer and all the miracles that happen as a result of those prayers. I am totally resolved to whatever God's will is for my life. I understand fully that His will might not always match with our requests; I believe, however, that we will all one day fully understand the plan He had for us.
I feel so blessed to have "my boys" going through this with me. Jerry is my eternal optimist, my best friend and my rock. My two sons, Stephen (25 yrs.) and Nathan (21 years), have been extremely helpful and caring. I can't thank all my friends and family enough for your strong support. To all, your prayers and positive thoughts are working big time!!
Love,
Gail
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