Just got my blood test results today. I have MDS

Lori....I feel terrible about my stupid sarcastic post to you the other day. I was feeling down and sickly and just not feeling good. My comment was very uncalled for and its not like me to be that way. I realize now you are hear with all your experience to help us. Again please forgive me and if you can find it in your heart I hope you can continue to help us.

You may be best off letting your doctor tell you if you are stable or in a danger zone. A lay person can't make sense of the movie, mcvh, rbw, how they interact and what it means.
My. MDS doc has me on bi-weekly blood draws. He says "stable." I wish the numbers were better (anemic).
Otherwise, you can make yourself upset. Breathe!

Hey, Good morning @twitt1949, Pfft. No worries. Apparently I didn't think what you wrote to me was sarcastic or it just went over my head. 😂 And even then, I may be an old hen, but I'm not one to get my feather's ruffled easily.
So please, just let that thought fly off in the wind! I'm always here for you.

I can certainly appreciate your anxiety over lab results when you're not familiar with what the numbers all mean. Blood numbers fluctuate daily in everyone. So, for a true picture of someone's blood health, doctors will rely on trends in the numbers. If there is a steady decline or elevation in numbers it can help predict or diagnose a condition.

Some of the key test results hematologists look for in MDS would be checking levels of red blood counts, MCV, LDH, white blood counts, and absolute neutrophils, among others. They may also check for blasts which are immature cells that normally are not found in circulating blood.

I believe since you're being followed very closely with your doctor that if there's a significant change in your health they will be on top of things for you! Basically, there is nothing you did to bring this on and nothing you can do to change it. But your doctor will have a treatment plan when the time is necessary. Honestly, having been through the worst case scenario myself, my best advice to you is trying not to focus on 'what if'. IF something happens, then your doctor will take care of it. Otherwise, all the extra concern and worry just rob you of the enjoyment of life. Always focus forward!

Now for your blood tests...As a lay person who has racked up well over 1,000 blood/metabolic panels run over the past 7 years, I feel pretty comfortable with my knowledge level of the key tests. While we're not able to diagnose, offer medical advice or treatment to fellow members, we can use our personal experiences to offer support. So, if want you want to share your numbers with me I can at least look at them for you. Feel free to send me a direct message. (click my photo. It takes you to my profile page where you'll the prompt to send a private message).

Have you heard back with the results of your PET Scan? I'm glad that all went smoothly for you. ☺️

Hi Lori
I'm so glad I didn't make you too mad. The in question, I had constipation bad and stomach acid. I felt terrible and I thought the end was near. But a few hours later I feel good and ready to go camping this summer.

I have a video conference with my doctor May 5th to discuss my pet scan.

I've downloaded probably 20 pages of different types of blood tests they did. Each page could have 12 different test results. I'd like to send them to you but you probably don't need all of them. Is there any that are more important than others? If so I will send them to you.

@twitt1949 It’s great to hear that you’re feeling better and not having those digestive issues anymore! I’ve had my share of those issues in the past and it can really change the course of the day when there are plans! Pun intended…I hope that’s all behind you now. 😅

As for blood work. If there are that many pages, your doctor has run some comprehensive blood panels and it would be better for them to interpret all the tests in relation to each other. Let me state it this way, blood conditions can be a bit like solving a puzzle. You can get part of the picture, enough to identify it with good, basic pieces. But it is even more helpful for your doctor to have the remaining pieces to identify, oh, I don’t know…the lilacs in corner next to the purple blue sky. LOL.
Since you have an appointment coming up May 5th to discuss the PET scan, I’m expecting they’ll also talk about your labs in the same appointment. Because it doesn’t seem that there is anything raising eyebrows on your blood work today, your doctor didn’t see anything that is concerning. Most blood conditions don’t change rapidly. There are exceptions of course. But from everything you’ve told me in our conversations, you seem pretty stable and you also have a great doctor. So, for now, use your time to plan your summer camping trips!
Do you have a camper or fought it in a tent? ☺️ Do you fish?

@loribmt
yes, we have a 32 ft trailer that we bought 30 yrs ago. No tents!! Still looks like most like new. I do fish on occasion but not a big time fisherman. How about you? got any plans this summer?

@twitt1949 That’s the only way to camp. Hahaha. We used to backpack/tent/camp. No more! Now my idea of roughing it is a hotel without a chocolate bar on the pillow 😂. My husband and I have a cabin on a lake in a forest where we hide out in the summer. Nature is healing…no better medicine.

Roughly where are you at? I'm in mich.

@twitt1949
We're neighbors. I'm from east central Wisconsin about 30 miles from Green Bay. This week I'm in the Northwoods of Wis not far from the UP. 🌲

@loribmt
Oh Lori, you have no idea how I needed to hear your reply! Your words of encouragement meant so much today. I’m normally a pretty positive person and that’s how most people see me; however, today has been difficult as I’m struggling with a bacterial uti as well as very painful knees on top of my MDS.