[Norma Bretz]

Hello, my name is Norma Bretz, I am 75 years old and live at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I have had MDS for 2 years. I have been doing pretty well on Neupogen & Aranesp. My numbers (except for platelets) stay consistent. My Platelets are all over the place....20 to 50 usually. I have never had any transfusions to date. I get both shots on Tuesday and Neupogen shot on Friday. Sometimes my Hgb is over 12 so they cannot give me the Aranesp. I have went as long as two weeks without the Aranesp.

My doctor wants me to try Dacogen (4 months on & 4 months off for 4 cycles) I am a little concerned and afraid of all the side effects I have heard about. I'm undecided as to try the Dacogen or keep on doing what I am doing until it doesn't work anymore. According to my doctor the Dacogen is the only thing that works on "platelets". I would appreciate any thoughts on this decision....do I do it now or wait????