Welcome back to California, lacanada1. I'm guessing from your member name that you're in the Pasadena area. If so, I highly recommend going to City of Hope in Duarte for an evaluation. It is possible for young people to have MDS, so it cannot be discounted on the basis of your age alone. The presence of tear-drop shaped cells is an indication that something is going on in your bone marrow. A bone marrow biopsy (BMB) provides doctors with a wealth of information--much more than blood tests alone--on which to base a firm diagnosis. Although many people suffer through this procedure, it can be done painlessly and City of Hope is adept at keeping patients comfortable with
conscious sedation. Don't let having to have a BMB be an obstacle to getting your diagnosis clarified as much as possible.
Regards,
Ruth Cuadra