New Patient

[Bagpuss]

My name is Roger, 65 year old male diagnosed MDS last Wednesday 15th February and still reeling with shock. Not yet sure what sub group in but mind whirring and very anxious. Spoke to Sophie last week and she is sending me more information. Spoke to my support nurse today who has said that application for funding for Azacytadine is being made.

I live in Sandhurst Berkshire and would like to know if any other patients live near the area. Would welcome support from anywhere.

Roger

[Jayne]

Hi Roger

Welcome, you will find this site of enormous support. I'm a Yorkshire lass so not the right area I'm afraid, and I am rubbish at remembering where everyone is from but I have a feeling that there is a group that meets near you. Someone will post the correct info.

I would like to post something of more support but I'm also not an expert re Azacytadine, but I have seen lots of posts on here with regards to it's success. Maybe have a bit of a look around the site and search for it.

So, it's just a warm welcome from me!

Jayne

[janetstanford]

Welcome Roger

Same as Jayne i live a bit further north than her and i am no expert as she says have a look on site regional meetings may be a good 1 and i would say give sophie a call or e-mail she will be able to give you info on both subjects

well again welcome to the site hope you will join in and post we do not mind
take care Janet

[Bagpuss]

Thank you for your replies and advice Janet and Jayne. Early days for me yet!!

Roger

[Sheldon]

Hi Roger
Welcome to the forum, I like you found the forum and became a member days after my diagnosis. Everyone (Jayne, Janet, Chris etc ) was very welcoming and reasuring. The advice from the long term members/suferers is invaluable and will help you on your journey.

I dont know if there is a Berkshire suport group, but I do believe there is one in Oxford that has only recently being set up (not to far fromyour neck of the woods)

Sheldon

[chris]

Dear Roger

I'm sure we all remember those initial days after our diagnoses and the confusion and feelings of hopelessness so our sympathies are with you. I presume you have had a bone marrow biopsy and that you will soon be told about which category your MDS is in? Before you begin to panic/despair over what you have no doubt read on the Internet, try to hold fire until you have all the information from your medical supporters. What Sophie sends you will also be very helpful and she will also know if there is any local support. Please look at the events section on this website for details of meetings as you may, for example, be able to get to the London meetings?

If the plan is to give you azacitidine, you will find some useful posts on this forum about people's experiences with that drug. Use the search facility. See especially the posts from David. Indeed, the Chairman of MDS UK Patient Support, Dr Rodney Taylor, has been on it for several years and it has made an enormous difference to him so please take some encouragement from that..

Not sure which hospital you attend but many of us have felt that, with such a rare disease, we would be better off at one of the Centres of Excellence for MDS. It is a personal choice and you have to weigh up the convenience of going to one's local hospital against the undeniable advantages of going to a centre which sees not just a few but hundreds of MDS patients and has research facilities and the capacity for delivering clinical trials.

How is the MDS affecting you on a day-to-day basis? Was it MDS symptoms that led to your diagnosis or did it turn up in the course of other medical investigations? For so many, it seems to be an out-of-the-blue diagnosis in people who felt they were otherwise pretty healthy.

I hope you are not finding the waiting too onerous - that seems to be the worst thing initially - please use the Forum for support. We obviously cannot give you any medical advice but we all have a range of experiences so at least you have then comfort of not feeling you are the only one - rare yes - but there are quite a few of us around!

Best wishes

Chris

[Bagpuss]

Thanks to Chris and Sheldon for your comments. Also thanks to David for the telephone conversation last night. It all helps. I am still waiting to hear if I will be starting treatment with azacytadine. Sophie has been acting on my behalf in explaining to my nurse key worker that there is no longer a need to fill in application forms for funding for the drug. It is the waiting that creates anxiety. but have found the postings helpful.

Roger