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Does anyone else have MGUS?

Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 22 hours ago | Replies (854)
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@milo3986

I have MGUS. I am a 78 female and I was diagnosed about 6 months ago. Have had all tests my hematologist requested except for bone marrow biopsy. That test scared me on many levels. But 6 months later I’ve requested to have the test done. I have been obsessing over the diagnosis and possibility of cancer diagnosis. I have been obsessing over test so I’m hoping the obsessing will stop once I have the b.oops y. Doc said it could take 10 years for MGUS to change to something else (worse)

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Replies to "I have MGUS. I am a 78 female and I was diagnosed about 6 months ago...."
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 4, 2023

Hi @milo3986 I was just discussing the bone marrow biopsy for MGUS with @steffiney who was also recently diagnosed with MGUS.

I know all of this just scares the socks right off a person…talk of potential blood cancers, bone marrow biopsies, treatments, etc.. I had a very aggressive form of leukemia 4 years ago and now in a durable remission and feel like nothing ever happened. Basically, ‘the worst’ happened and I’m alive, healthy and here to try to help others from living in fear ‘of the worst case scenario”. 🙃

Your MGUS may not progress or require treatment for many years as your doctor mentioned. So it would be awful living in fear for 10 years with ‘What if this happens?”. I know it all sounds frightening and you feel like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. But my attitude is that knowledge is power and this biopsy will give your doctor the facts they need to diagnose. You in turn get the facts you need to face whatever is necessary head on! I think we are our worst enemies most times with the stories we can tell ourselves of the worst case scenarios and most never materialized.

I’m going to reiterate for you part of the message I wrote to @steffiney regarding bone marrow biopsy for MGUS.
A bone marrow biopsy is a valuable tool for your hematologist to get a good look at the blood manufacturing center for your body.
The biopsy and examination of a core sample from the marrow and aspiration of peripheral blood can show whether your bone marrow is healthy and making normal amounts of blood cells. Doctors use these procedures to diagnose and monitor blood and marrow diseases.
Your doctor is trying to get the answers he needs to make a firm diagnosis for you. It can take a week or more to get a full report on all the in-depth testing of the samples.

I know you’re obsessing over this so I’d really encourage you to schedule the biopsy. Ask for sedation if you’re feeling anxious. It’s a lovely lala-land sedative so you have no knowledge of what’s going on…painless. ☺️

What do you think?? Isn’t it better to just get it over with?

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