Hi, @lmkmom. I know it’s alarming when blast cell numbers escalate. From what you’re saying with the increase in blasts over the last couple of days, it does sound as though there may be a change in your myelofibrosis with a progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Blast cells are immature cells which go on to develop into specific healthy cells in the body. In relation to blood development they are found inside the bone marrow, at the heart of the blood manufacturing site, seldom seen in circulating blood. When blast cells are found in peripheral blood work, that can mean there’s a glitch within the bone marrow somewhere where the blast cells are allowed to proliferate out of control and won’t mature. Without intervention, those defective cells eventually spill out into the blood stream, continue to proliferate and eventually crowd out all the healthy blood cells, including red cells and platelets…(often requiring transfusions) When the level of blast cells in the peripheral blood reach above 20% that can be an indication of leukemia.
At the time of my AML diagnosis, my blast cell count was 85%. Very high and I sure knew it! But with chemotherapy, that number dropped down to single digits with the first round, called induction. The 2 repeated rounds, consolidation, wiped the slate clean so that I could go ahead with my transplant.
So please, if I can encourage you at all, try not to live in fear of this! I literally had hours left on the planet. Chemotherapy saved my life! Without the chemo or the BMT, I’d have been pushing up daisies from the understand for 5 or so years already. I’m 6+ years past all of this and living my best 2nd life! ☺️

If you have progressed to AML, it’s very early and you’d be starting treatment well ahead of where I was at the time. There may be a little setback in the timeline for your transplant by making sure the cancerous cells are gone. From my understanding as I was told, the cleaner we go enter into the transplant journey, the better the chances for a successful outcome. And you want that!
So please try not to live in fear. You’ve already been in treatment for your MF. You faced that head on and did what needed doing…the same will be with this AML. It may test your mettle, but you are strong, resilient and your body is made to heal. It just needs a little help sometime!

I’m here for you anytime you need a lifeline! Please let me know what you find out, ok? Now breathe…