[Cecile Huston]

I was diagnosed in April with MDS, I have been on Vidaza since June, each cycle is 28 days, 2 days on a Thursday/Friday and then everyday the next week, I am also getting a clinical trial chemo twice a month, I am now on my 5th cycle, some numbers are better, I will be 75 in a few days and have chosen not to do a bone marrow transplant, the last bone marrow biopsy showed improvement. If I can keep the quality of life I have now, I will continue with the vidaza as long as possible. I know it is not a cure but giving me time. Everyone must make the right decisions for their own health and with the Dr’s imput as well. good luck.

[Cecile Huston]

I was diagnosed with MDS this past April, caused by having chemo and radiation in 2000 from breast cancer. I will be 75 in Oct. I know the only cure is a bone marrow transplant and I do not feel I can go thru that with all the complications and dangers at my age. I am on my 4th cycle of vidaza, I have it 7 days, and also have a clinical trial twice a month. My blasts have come down. The vidaza does have some side effects but they are tolerable. The steroids they give me to keep me from being nauseated also keep me from sleeping but it is only 7 days every 28 so I can do it. My husband also in not the greatest health but is by my side for it all. I have had 3 bone marrow biopsies, the last one was after the 1st 3 cycles and does show improvement, with chemo it is a personal choice for everyone. Some of my family (I have 3 sons) could not understand my reluctance to try for a bone marrow transplant until they all were informed of all the complications and now they support me fully with my wishes not to try for it. My best hope is the clinical trial that may give me more time.
The vidaza was started with an injection in my stomach, that did not do well, make me so sore, so now it is given in my port and no problem. The best thing to do is research all you can on MDS so you have all the info and make the best choices for your family member, what one person wants to do is not what is best for everyone.

[Cecile Huston]

I was diagnosed with MDS in April 2017, had 2 bone marrow biopsies, started Vidaza June, I am given anti-nausea meds 30 min. before and I have no problem, the 1st round of Vidaza about did me in with the injections, my 74 yr old body could not handle it, my skin was so stressed so now it is given in the port and no problem, I will get another bone marrow biopsy next week, but so far my numbers are still very low, I know the vidaza is only to give me more time, but I am also getting a clinical trial drug twice a month, and since there are only 39 people on this, and it is pre-trial so not been tested before, we have no idea of what it can do, I decided against even trying for a transplant, no siblings, and my age, it is not worth all that goes along with it. I get sooooo tired easily and short of breath, my MDS is due to chemo in 2000 for breast cancer. thanks for everyones posts.

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