Hi to all. I have been recently diagnosed with MDS. I have scheduled my Bone Marrow biopsy. Not sure how all this will work out. I am 70 years old and I have survived 2 cancers and multiple surgeries in the past. I had testicular cancer in 1975. Major, major surgery for that followed by 4,500 rads of Cobalt 60 radiation followed by 1 year of chemotherapy. The MDS website tells me that is why I now have MDS. I also was born with mild anemia which affects the shape of my red blood cells. My second cancer was colon cancer in 1975 – stage 1. I lucked out there. Only lost 60% of my colon. I was in the Air Force when I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. In July 1976 the Air Force hospital put out on Temporary Disability Retirement. The VA rated me 100% disabled and Social Security rated me as unemployable. I took advantage of the VA program to get my BS degree in Electrical Engineering. I worked for a defense contractor for 32 years retiring in 2013. The cancer was the worst thing that has ever happened to me but also the best. It gave me options in life I did not even know were there. Glad I lived the life I did. I have a good income in retirement – a great wife and a nice life. I will face MDS with the same great positive attitude I used to face my 2 cancers and the other surgeries I had to face in life. I plan on living at least 10 more years or more. If not, I have had a great life. Good luck to all of you facing this medical problem or any other you may be experiencing. We live in the right time of history to benefit from great medical care and medical breakthroughs. I am living proof of this.
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