Hi @justmeb5, I really do feel it’s my privilege to be able to help out anyone enduring blood cancer treatments or a bone marrow transplant. When going through my own AML/BMT odyssey 6 years go my husband and I had no idea what lay ahead. Fortunately I had great medical teams, both locally and at Mayo-Rochester who were very forthcoming with information and support.
But my greatest mental boost was being able to speak with people who actually experienced what I was going through at the time. They gave me hope! I realized how important it can be to have a mentor, someone who has walked the walk and understands from a patient’s perspective.
It can make all the difference in the world to speak with someone who truly understands the range of emotions a patient is feeling with a frightening diagnosis.

That’s what makes Connect such a special forum! Most everyone here, or a loved one, has gone through some medical drama. They’ve reached out for support, encouragement or hope and stayed to pay it forward! We are all lifelines for each other. So I’m really happy that you have joined Connect and finding it to be a safe haven.

As a patient you have every right to know exactly what’s going on with your health. I think you’re wise to seek a 2nd opinion with a new hematologist. If for nothing else, confirmation of the diagnosis and potential treatment options. Let me know if I can help in any way, ok?

Hi @justmeb5. It’s been a while since we’ve chatted so I thought I’d check in with you today to see how your appointment went with the 2nd opinion back in May. I know you were newly diagnosed with MDS and your current doctor wasn’t very forthcoming with information. It can be reassuring to at least know what to anticipate! I hope you were able to get answers to your questions and some firm guidance for treatment.
How are you feeling? Have you begun treatment for MDS?