My wife has gotten progressively weaker and more tired over the last few years; previous medical tests were always inconclusive. Finally, they performed a bone marrow biopsy at the end of 2022, which gave her a definitive diagnosis: myelodysplastic syndrome. In her case, her body isn’t producing enough healthy red blood cells, which causes severe anemia. At least we know what her disease is now; per the NIH, “MDS tends to present slowly over months to years.”

She just started a very strong chemo drug, which she’ll take daily for 21 days, followed by one week off. I’m hopeful that her symptoms will greatly improve and that her disorder may go into remission.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2023 02:29AM by cuzx.

Best of luck, cuzx, to you both.

We’re both worried about possible side effects; the cancer specialists will be monitoring her closely.

I’ve had cancer, and lost my wife to it a few years ago. So I agree: cancer sucks.

Hang in there. Don’t give up.
Fingers crossed for you.

I wish the best for your wife, and for you as well. Hang in there. Physicians and other medical workers can do a great deal for cancer these days.

I agree.
Lost far too many loved ones to cancer, but the good news is, a lot fewer are dying of it than they used to. My Dad had 3 different kinds of cancer and beat them all. Died of Parkinson’s instead.

Wishing the best for your wife and you. I agree with summer and schrodingerscat.

Lost loved ones to cancer also, and our son-in-law's father also had 3 different types and beat them all.

She is lucky you are around to support her through this. Hopefully the chemo will do its job well. I'm very hopeful and sending good wishes.

One of those things we all fear. I also have had friends and family have cancer. Many of them have beat it. My cousin died of it at age 37. She was 3 days older than me. I'm 65--so been a long time. Her husband got the same diagnosis, same cancer, 3 years ago, and he is still alive. They now have drugs to fight the cancer she had.

Please keep us posted.

Hang in there, take it one day at a time. I saw my wife through two cancers, and she is in remission.

I lost my mother to cancer, but she fought hard and lived 20 years beyond first diagnosis and it was leukemia.

Expecting the best for you.

Hoping for the best for your wife and you. Cancer is evil. Claimed my wife of 44 years 5 years ago.

I hope she gets better.

My wife is battling liver failure in the ICU. She is not a good candidate for transplant due to blood disorders. 2022 wasn't a good year for me.

I'm so sorry you both are going through that. Sending hope and comfort!

I'm so sorry, messy.

I'm ten years cancer free in May. Stage 4 throat cancer. Dodged a bullet. I remember telling a guy on the chemo floor, "Cancer sucks and these guys are just trying to make it suck less" I hope the best for your wife.

I agree, cancer sucks. I had a large ovarian cyst that was removed 2 weeks ago, along with my other ovary and total hysterectomy as well, and I lost 70lbs from that alone. I had my post op appointment with the doctor, and he said that there were some cancer cells from the fluid inside the cyst, which had to be the size of a watermelon as it was 25 liters of fluid that took 15 minutes to drain. It was same day laproscopic surgery, so I went home that same evening.

It was stage 1a so it was just in that cyst, and I'll be starting 18 weeks of chemotherapy soon. Fortunately, as I'm 47, it's easily treatable and have 95% chance of survival after 5 years. I'm sure the chemotherapy will suck, even though I'm doing the lower dose for longer, but cancer sucks far more. This is all a precaution to be sure they removed everything during the surgery. Thanks to being as young as I am and that it was found before it became a solid tumor, I will be able to live a full lifespan after this is over.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2023 03:58PM by adoylelb.

Good vibe sent your way for a complete recovery.