Medical Update - My Father's Possible Leukemia

[RetroLounge]

The test results came back yesterday, not good, not bad. Yet.

He was diagnosed with MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome, formerly called pre-leukemia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myelodysplastic_syndrome ). He has what is called Refactory Anemia with excess blasts. Very low white count, low red count, excessive abnormal blasts. He's succeptible to colds and infections. Every small cut he gets seems to get infected.

His tests now compared to the tests last year show a doubling in the abnormal blood vells. 1/3 of patients with this condition acquire full blown Leukemia.

He will get regular blood work to see if it is getting worse or not. Treatments are not useful at this stage, but if it gets worse, they consider transfusiona and stem cell transfers.

One known cause for MDS is prolonged exposure to benzene, which was an integral part of his job as a lithographer from the 1950's thru the 1970's.

It was vey difficult dicussing with him the mortality rates, the treatments, his plans, insurance issues, his living will (or lack of one), his burial/cremation wishes, his talk of suicide if it gets really bad, my mom and what she would do if he passes first and everything else. I found it difficult to hold it together and tried to just listen and be supportive as best I can. He's asked me to help he get ass informed about this condition as possible. Knowledge is the best offense, and he wants to understand all the $100 words the doctors tossed around.

So any more lounge vibes are appreciative.