[Binnie]

Frankie….There is probably another way, but I put the forum in my "Favorites" and access from there without having to sign in each time.

[Binnie]

My husband was a skilled glassblower for 34 years and worked around many chemicals including arsenic, however, I believe the real culprit was radiation emissions from a nuclear plant a few miles away from the little town he grew up in. The factory shut down in the late 6o’s, but the town has since filed a class action suit because the cancer rate is 3 times the average, hitting most people in their 50’s and 60’s.

[Binnie]

When my husband was dx with mds, he applied for ss social security disability benefits. He was 57 years old and his disability benefit was the same amount as his benefit would have been if he were to work until his retirement age. I don’t know if Mich. would have different rules concerning social security, you wouldn’t think so since it is a government program. There was a six month waiting period from time you apply to the time your first check arrives. However, with my husband they took the diagnosis date as the beginning of the 6 mo. waiting period, so was approx. 3 mo wait for the first benefit check. Good Luck!

[Binnie]

Lola, My husband was covered by Aetna and they covered the testing for his brother. His sister was also tested, but was covered by her husbands insurance. It is so unfair to have to worry about insurance at a time like this. Stay positive–things have a way of working out. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Binnie]

Hi, Keeping in mind that everyone seems to react differently to this disease, I can tell you that my late husband was dx raeb May 02. He underwent a sct (his brothers cells) June 03. At first, his counts started to come up alittle and he was starting to get some strength back. Then counts started going down again. BMB showed that he had 100% donor cells, but the chemo given before sct had scarred his marrow causing excessive fiber that was not permitting the good cells into the marrow to start replicating. By March 04, BMB showed some clearing of the fibrosis, so he tried the mini-transplant (bro. cells again). Unforturnately, 3 mo. later bmb showed 100% donor cells, no blasts but no engraftment. His drs. didn’t prescribe anything or order any procedures in connection with the fibrosis. He was taking prograf (anti-rejection) after each transplant. This was our experience with transplant and myelofibrosis, but my husbands fibrosis was a result of the chemo and you said your dad was dx mds and myelofibrosis at the same time. Everyone is different as you well know if you have read past posts. Will be thinking of you and your father and wishing him the best.

[Author]

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