I am 77 and was diagnosed with MDS in 2018, which has progressed towards AML. My myeloblasts were at 19% (borderline AML) in 2022. I've had 6 chemo cycles, each of 7 days of injected Vidaza and 14 days of oral Venclexta. Blasts fell to 4% but eventually rose back to 15%, then down to 5%, up to 11% and at Sept 2023 are 4%. I've experienced some nausea during the chemo cycles. I've required infusions of red blood cells and platelets during the chemo cycles. My present hgb is 7.5 and platelets 60. I exercise regularly by walking and riding a stationary bike. I am more easily fatigued than before the disease, but otherwise I live a normal life. Since white blood cells average 2.6, I am very careful to avoid infections. I anticipate this routine to continue until it is no longer effective.

Diagnosed Dec. 2022. 30 days in hospital with intense chemo. 4 months chemo induction. Was eligible for SCT with my son as my donor but I turned it down. 5 months on chemo pill Onureg. 11 months after diagnosis I’m in remission. I’m 65 yr old widow with no friends or family to help me through this. Faith, prayer, positive determination & trust got me to remission. I’m now praying it lasts me many years.

Hello Roxy,
I am 75 and was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, unspecified (MDS) for short in April of 2021.The Mayo Clinic calls it a rare form of leukemia and I chose to undergo treatment at The Florida Cancer Specialists as opposed to a hospital stay in a VA hospital. My treatment is seven shots of Azacitidine in the stomach every month. A bone marrow biopsy revealed that I had blasts of 19 to twenty and low WBC, RBC, and Platelets. Since that time either her treatment plan, and/or my supplement program are hold the numbers in a steady area. The end game for MDS is said to be a Stem Cell Transplant. Thus far I have stayed away from transfusions and the STC. As you know the people in this group are outstanding. Hang in there, we all are praying for you, ourselves, and each other.

Hi Roxy I’m in my seventh week long session of decitabine for CMML-1. Next week I meet with a Stem Cell team for evaluation. You get good days and bad days throughout the regime. Started with five days of chemo and three weeks off. Currently same schedule with just four days. Tough at times both mentally and physically. Looking at longer durations between treatments as numbers have improved. Blood work goes all over the place with treatments and generally plummet ten to fourteen days after treatment ends. Rebound rather quickly, but I haven’t been off the plan long enough to see how stable. Hope this helps.

Hey Roxy,
I have been in remission since Feb ,2023.My treatment has been decitbine 5 days and ventaclax 3 weeks.They reduced my venteclax to 2 weeks,and I still get decitibine every 6 weeks.I have been doing well but lately have needed a blood transfusion every month.I do not qualify for a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant,