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a "no cure disease." Unfortunately, this is the way that all catastrophic diseases have gotten their start. "Frightening" to say the least, as there are approximately 13,000 new cases diagnosed each year, with that number expected to rise dramatically over the next few years.
Some MDS patients, under the age of 60, can be treated with a Bone Marrow Transplant, but many can not. Persons over the age of 60 have fewer options. There is a high rate of MDS turning into Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells, Blood Platelets, Hemoglobin and Hemocrits are all affected by MDS. Severe Anemia, Hemorrhage and Infection are resulting trademarks in many cases. Most MDS patients suffer from one chromosome abnormality or another. Persons with MDS usually become Immune Suppressed and are forced to change their lifestyles to ones of "Isolation."
Mike was finally diagnosed with MDS in January, 2006, following BMB number five. The Dr. felt that we would just take a wait and see approach and watch his blood counts. There was no treatment and no blood transfusions given. His counts continued to fall. The diagnosis was given with the assumption that his disease had been caused by radiation or chemical exposure in the work-place, or possibly a medication he had taken.
Several months passed, and no further BMB was done. His Platelets were getting lower and I began to worry. We were told that Mike had incurred some type of chromosome damage probably caused by radiation or chemical exposure. After watching and reviewing all of the previous BMB results and continuing blood tests, we were told that they didn't feel that discussing a MDS to Acute Myeloid Leukemia transformation was important, as Mike would have virtually no chance of that happening.
We spoke extensively to our Dr. as well as the Stem Cell Transplant Dr. about having that procedure. It was a very high risk option, but our only hope of a cure. Mike had some HLA Testing to determine what kind of donor match that he would need. His brother was tested immediately, and did not match. We had Mike's HLA results run through the National Bone Marrow Bank and unfortunately there was no match. When would life quit being so cruel?
In late April of 2006, at my insistence, a new BMB was done. Mike's counts had been falling at a pretty steady rate and I was scared. On May 1, 2006 we went to the Dr. to get the results. It was one of the darkest days in our lives. We were told that Mike did have Acute Myeloid Leukemia and

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