Real Stories

Read stories from people living with MDS/CMML. Hear about their experiences, challenges, treatment and care in our Real Stories section below.

Share Your Story

Hearing how others have coped with their MDS/CMML diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference, offering comfort and strength to those facing similar challenges and helping people feel less alone. If you're happy to share your story, email us at info@mdspatientsupport.org.uk.


Share your lockdown Story! Covid 19 five years on

It’s been five years since lockdown changed our lives in ways we never expected. From shielding loved ones to banging saucepans for key workers, we all have memories—big and small. We’d love to hear yours! Send your story (100–500 words) to info@mdspatientsupport.org.uk with ‘Five Years On’ in the subject line. Photos welcome!

Willie Chrystal

Willie Chrystal

Willie Chrystal – My journey so far. After returning to the UK from working in the Middle East for a year and a half I ended up in hospital on […]

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Russell Cook

Russell Cook

Russell Cook  After overcoming MDS and multiple transplants, Russell now faces a new challenge. I’m sure there’s a few of you who will have a bit of an idea about […]

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Athar Jamil

Athar Jamil

A journey of hope – my unfinished story! Nelson Mandela once said “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” In […]

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Lynne Elliot

Lynne Elliot

Lynne’s story – 23 years post MDS diagnosis and her life has turned out much better than expected. In 2000 I had been breathless and tired (a problem I recall […]

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Geraldine Hill

Geraldine Hill

Thanks to the brilliant team at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, I celebrated the second anniversary of my stem cell transplant on 1 September 2023. I’m in remission now, but it has […]

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Chris Potter’s Story

Chris Potter’s Story

The summer of 2020 was a good one. It was hot, the sun was shining most days. I was on furlough, still being paid and I spent a lot of […]

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Tony’s story

Tony’s story

Tony was first diagnosed with high risk MDS in January 2021 following blood tests he had for knee surgery that showed low counts and raised some alarms. He quickly had […]

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Surekha Kodical

Surekha Kodical

In the winter of 2019 I had been referred to the orthopaedic surgeon for knee replacement surgery. Having seen the consultant I was put on the waiting list and to […]

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Stories of diagnosis

Stories of diagnosis

Some people, when being diagnosed with MDS, are not told by their healthcare team that it is a form of cancer, nor what level of severity their MDS is. By […]

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Anna Sherratt

Anna Sherratt

Update January 2021 Very sadly, we heard that Anna passed away. We are unsure of exact details at the time of writing, but will be updating the information if we […]

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