Good morning, @twitt1949 Blood transfusion for cancer patients are used when certain components of blood are low or not being produced in the body at a normal rate.
From my understanding, typically a transfusion of red blood cells is given when a patient’s hemoglobin reaches a low threshold of 7 to 8 g/dL. Depending on the circumstance some doctors will consider a transfusion when a patient reaches 9 to 10 g/dL. ( Normal adult male hemoglobin averages 13.8 to 17.2 grams per deciliter (g/dL).

I don’t remember what your latest hemoglobin reading was. But if it gets down around 10 or so, that may explain your lack of energy and endurance .

Platelet levels vary for infusions. Usually the lowest threshold is around 10 × 10⁹/L for non-bleeding patients receiving chemo. Higher for critically ill adults with active bleeding.

The frequency of the transfusions will be based on need. Red blood cells generally live in the body for up to 120 days, platelets only 7-10 days. If a patient’s body isn’t producing any red blood cells on its own, some people become completely transfusion dependent, requiring multiple transfusions weekly. Similarly with platelets.

However, patients with MDS who have decreasing blood levels, such as red blood cells, (anemia) are often given medications initially to see if anemia can be treated without infusions such as Vitamin B-12 injections, iron, etc.
There are also meds to help the body increase red blood cell production such as as epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) or darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)

Medications such as Neulasta can help promote the production of neutrophils (white blood cells that are crucial for fighting infections).

Are you taking any meds at all for your MDS?