Hello,
I had a bone marrow biopsy wed. It came back with cell dysplasia which means I have abnormal cells in my bone marrow. The dr would not say more until he gets all the results back next wed. The biopsy was done because I have had chronic low white counts for 12 years now with no symptoms, but recently I have dropped from 128lbs to 112lbs in 5 months( height 5'7") and have loss of appatite and bleeding gums. I had a CBC done 3 weeks ago and my whites and GRANS were low. When I went to Roswell on wed. my whites, GRANS, neutrophils and red counts were all low. I fear that I may have myelodyplastic syndrome. Everytime I do any research on cell dyplasia in bone marrow this comes up. This seems like a very nasty disease. symptomatically things seem to be progressing rapidly and my counts are dropping. I am afraid. I am a 29 year old owner of 2 successful businesses with a lot of responsibuilities. I have a husband who loves me dearly and I am the mommy of a sweet 4 year old boy. I am so afraid of letting them down, What do I say to all these people who love me. I already know what the test results are going to be. I know I am sick I feel it. I have been telling local doctors for 7 months somethings not right. Upon hearing my symptoms and seeing my past history with leaukopenia local drs would go nuts, rush a bunch of blood test which most came back borderline normal and send me home like I was some kind of over reactive hypochrondriac. I took finally traveling 3 hours to Roswell park cancer inst. in Buffalo NY to get answers. The hardest part is I know I am sick.

You shouldn't worry as much as you are because your feeling about yourself b eing sick could be wrong or attributed to some other cause(s), no matter how slim or great that is. It is a possibility. Keep your figers crossed and hope for the best for now. Dwelling on it will cause you aditional stress that may weaken you further. There may be a cure for it. Don't leave out that possibility.
As to the issue with your family. Prepare them for it and spend ever moment that you have left with them and live your life to the fullest while you're still ok and able to do so.

I wish you well,
tomyc :) :)

About 9 years ago, after months of a high white count, low grade temp, and extreme exhaustion, I was sent to a hematologist. I wouldn't let my doctor make the referral until she told me what she was thinking. Chronic lymphocyetic leukemia was her answer. The hematologist did a few tests of his own and on the return visit told me "if this isn't leukemia, I don't know what it is." I was 29 and had never been seriously ill in my life. I had also never been as scared. He did a bone marrow biospy and aspiration. The results were normal. My doc was sure I had leukemia, the hematologist/oncologist was sure I had leukemia, I had other symptoms of leukemia. I knew something was wrong. BUT I didn't have leukemia; it did turn out to be the start of a couple of autoimmune problems-still better than leukemia! Even though it is possible that you have myelodyplastic syndrome don't assume that you do. It may turn out to be something else entirely. As hard as it is when you are not feeling well and frightened about the possibilities, try to keep a positive attitude.

Hello,
I had a bone marrow biopsy wed. It came back with cell dysplasia which means I have abnormal cells in my bone marrow. The dr would not say more until he gets all the results back next wed. The biopsy was done because I have had chronic low white counts for 12 years now with no symptoms, but recently I have dropped from 128lbs to 112lbs in 5 months( height 5'7") and have loss of appatite and bleeding gums. I had a CBC done 3 weeks ago and my whites and GRANS were low. When I went to Roswell on wed. my whites, GRANS, neutrophils and red counts were all low. I fear that I may have myelodyplastic syndrome. Everytime I do any research on cell dyplasia in bone marrow this comes up. This seems like a very nasty disease. symptomatically things seem to be progressing rapidly and my counts are dropping. I am afraid. I am a 29 year old owner of 2 successful businesses with a lot of responsibuilities. I have a husband who loves me dearly and I am the mommy of a sweet 4 year old boy. I am so afraid of letting them down, What do I say to all these people who love me. I already know what the test results are going to be. I know I am sick I feel it. I have been telling local doctors for 7 months somethings not right. Upon hearing my symptoms and seeing my past history with leaukopenia local drs would go nuts, rush a bunch of blood test which most came back borderline normal and send me home like I was some kind of over reactive hypochrondriac. I took finally traveling 3 hours to Roswell park cancer inst. in Buffalo NY to get answers. The hardest part is I know I am sick.
If the worst scenario is true that you have MDS, you are young enough to have a bone marrow transplant. They are having wonderful results with treating MDS with Thalidomide as long as you are not planning to have children. A new drug was introduced in this past week approved by FDA for specific treatment of MDS. IF you will browse through the major medical news sites you will find the article. The doctors can also continue to do blood transfusions etc. for a long time as well, so that the quality of your life can improve over what is going on right now. Please take heart and realize that the best thing in the world going for you right now is that you are young and can receive the treatments that older patients 55 and up are not eligible for.