[april]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum and need some info please. My dad, aged 76 was recently diagnosed with MDS. After two unsuccessful bone marrow test, his MDS was finally typed by blood test (cytogenetics). Hypercellar bone marrow, 6% blasts, trilineage(?), deletion of short arm of chromosome 17, isochrome 17.

Luckily, third bone marrow test yielded liquid marrow so he is able to participate in clinical trial. Began clinical trial ARA-C/Sorafenib, end of Feb. Also taking Eprex (epoetin alfa) once a week.
Beginning blood counts: HBC 96; RBC 3.95; WBC 14.9; platelets 22.

Questions:
1- Does anyone know where I can find specific info on MDS chromosome 17 abnormality?
2- Do our platelets fluctate within a range from day to day or do they remain stead? Dad's platelets were 24 yesterday, but 18 four days ago. Is this a normal fluctation within a range? Or is this an increase? (however small)
3- What is trilineage?

Thanks to everyone on this site. It is comforting to find somewhere to turn.