Happy 2021! What have I been up to for the past 6 months? Well, I was going to my hematologist for CBC evaluations monthly, at least for the first 3 months. I enjoyed seeing the Rays make it to the World Series & the Lightning win the Stanley Cup! It wasn't until November that my hemoglobin count dropped below 10.0. That prompted weekly visits for CBC evaluations and Procrit injections.  These 40k IUs injections are to help boost my red blood cell & hemoglobin counts. Yet, they haven't helped to date having had 8-10 injections & my hemoglobin count is at 7.9 presently. Happy 2021 everybody!! And much to my enjoyment the Bucs have won the Super Bowl. How about that! Tom Brady is truly an amazing QB. Since shortly after having begun the injections, I have been feeling fatigued by the end of each work day. My Moffitt hematologist,  Dr. Komrokji, had me undergo my 3rd bone marrow biopsy in January after our 12/30 meeting. Biopsy was done on 1/8/21 & we just reviewed results on 2/10/21. Got CoVid tested for 2nd time & still negative,  thank God! This biopsy hurt me too, more than the prior two. I had the same lab technician as my 2nd biopsy. I was able to request him when scheduling it with Moffitt. We came to the belief that my left posterior hip area is more dense than my right side. Technician had a difficult time obtaining marrow  samples & I have been hurting since with a slight limp. Hopefully  this too shall pass. The biopsy results show promise though. No further MDS progression,  no increase in leukocytes and prior indicated chromosomal mutations were no longer indicated.  Another lesser type was, but no "bad players" as Dr. K calls them.

So I'm now on max Procrit dose, 60k IUs, over next 4 weeks. If no improvement,  then he is recommending that I undergo immunosuppressive-therapy using AGT & cyclosporine. I am hopeful, but guarded, in 2021. I do feel blessed and my prayers & best wishes go out to ALL folks dealing with any type of cancer or prolonged, life-threatening disease. May God speed your treatment & hopefully recovery.  May God bless you & keep you.

Jeff