Bone Marrow test and Clinic at Kings

Last Monday I went to Kings for a bone marrow test. This was more interesting than normal as the Dr took two extra lots of aspirate - the liquid inside your bone marrow, and then an extra chip or two of the actual bone. This was done all under local anaesthetic - which he topped up a couple of times as the process took around 45 minutes, rather than the normal 20 minutes. It does feel strange having the aspirate sucked out.

Bone marrow test samples

I will not get the results from the bone marrow test for a couple of weeks. One extra sample will be for some special genetic tests, to see if they can identify any genes that might be causing a hereditary problem. The rest is for a research project - so loads of forms to sign.

I had a blood test, which showed my Platelets had improved and Neutrophils dropped a bit - but no worries. At the clinic they gave the go ahead for the next course of Azacitadine, which I started yesterday. They confirmed the frequency and dose is OK, but will review my results in a few days time with the Plymouth consultant.

MDS Support Group

I was in Kings last Monday and luckily bumped into Sophie who runs the group for Prof Mufti

If you have MDS and you are caring for someone who has it in the UK and have not joined the MDS Support group I would advise you to give Sophie a ring.
Their website is http://www.mdspatientsupport.org.uk/ 

Richard and Sophie

Sophie and I are hoping to run a series of articles about the opening of a New Heamotology ward in Plymouth - enebling the first un-related donor transplants in that part of the South West. Brilliant!

We met the prof briefly, who asked after me and Roz.

Prof Mufti