New member

[Drewsworld]

Hey guys..I m Pete, I live in australia with my 13 year old son Drew.he has been diagnose with moderate to severe Aplastic anemia. Had his first transfusion 6 days ago and the doctor seems concerned about how his platelet levels have a dropped.in Queensland where we live there are only 1back case per year,so the doctors may not be very experienced.what do you guys think.im already thinking of bringing him to america if we don't have any luck...any recommendations?

[milliken2]

Pete;
First of all - welcome to the Forum. This is a wonderful place to share and learn.
Secondly - speaking as an RN - are there no hospital is Sydney that have better treatment options? Of course - we would welcome you to the states - but as a precaution - I would do an online search to make sure your insurance covers the cost of treatment. St. Jude's Hospital is a wonderful cancer facility for Pediatrics - and here in the states - Peds is considered to be up to the age of 18 and in some states 21 years old. In my opinion, I would check it out first if you are seriously considering coming stateside for treatment.
Make sure you check out the AA/MDS Foundation website - there is a lot of material there to learn.
I wish you all the best of luck in whatever direction you should take.

Beth

[triumphe64]

Originally Posted by milliken2

Pete;
First of all - welcome to the Forum. This is a wonderful place to share and learn.
Secondly - speaking as an RN - are there no hospital is Sydney that have better treatment options? Of course - we would welcome you to the states - but as a precaution - I would do an online search to make sure your insurance covers the cost of treatment. St. Jude's Hospital is a wonderful cancer facility for Pediatrics - and here in the states - Peds is considered to be up to the age of 18 and in some states 21 years old. In my opinion, I would check it out first if you are seriously considering coming stateside for treatment.
Make sure you check out the AA/MDS Foundation website - there is a lot of material there to learn.
I wish you all the best of luck in whatever direction you should take.

Beth

This is the AAMDS website.

http://www.aamds.org/

Contact Leigh Clark there. She will be a great help. You can email her for a start. help@aamds.org or clark@aamds.org

[Drewsworld]

Hi Beth ,thanks for your welcome and advice ,I will definately follow up the info you've given me.I think its great they have forums such as these!
Pete.

.

[parnit]

Hi Pete, I live in Melbourne and was also diagnosed with AA earlier this year. I've also gone under a ATG treatment due to no BMT match. I'm visiting Dr Ali Bazargan at St Vincent Hospital (http://www.svhm.org.au/gp/clinics/Pa...ematology.aspx) and he is been very good to us and I'm sure there are other specialist Heamotologists around in Australia.

All the best!