[PaulS]

Hi Kerpaka -- sorry to hear about your diagnosis -

The numbers you report are a little different than I'm used to - but it looks like you are normal or nearly normal in everything except platelets - which look fairly low - but not dangerously so. Am I reading your numbers correctly?

I assume they found dysplastic cells in the marrow which led to the diagnosis of MDS? Its great you have no blasts. Have you had low platelets for a while? Any other symptoms? How do you feel?

If you cytogentetics come back OK and your counts stay stable you could be watching and waiting for a while. The course of the disease varies significantly and some people go many years just watching. Lets hope you are one of them. In the meantime, make sure you have a hematologist you feel good about and who answers your questions to your satisfaction. You may consider a second opinion from a center/doctor specializing in MDS - I believe there is a Center of Excellence in Toronto -

When and if to start Vidaza can be a tricky question - but it seems for now your doctor is being conservative - which is not a bad thing. As long as you feel good and your numbers stay where they are - life is good and enjoy - and try not to worry too much. If things change, there are treatment options that may also work for a while - maybe a long while - The only cure is a transplant - but it sounds like you are a ways from having to think about that route - Stay positive - Best wishes, Paul