Marrowforums - Vidaza and Radiation

I am new here. My husband Ken (age 68) was diagnosed with MDS in early March, coincidentally right after having laparoscopic surgery to repair an abdominal obstruction related to a hernia. At the same time we discovered the MDS diagnosis, we learned he has early-stage esophageal cancer. Each specialist we have seen has told us about all the treatments Ken could have had if he didn't have both conditions.

He has had three transfusions to deal with low hemoglobin levels. The first was at a level of 7.0 in hospital right after surgery, the second was at 7.6 two weeks later, and the third was at 8.0 three weeks after that. He generally feels well. His white cells are quite low, but his platelets are in the low-average range.

There was supposed to be a multidisciplinary meeting to plan treatment, but what we've seen is that each condition is being treated separately. He is to begin his first round (7 days) of Vidaza in the coming week and a four-week cycle of radiation the week after. He will have a two-day overlap where he has both the Vidaza and radiation.

We had never heard of MDS, and we so appreciate being able to read old threads and learn about it. Our major question is whether anyone here has any idea how Ken would tolerate Vidaza and radiation at the same time. Should we be concerned that his blood levels would fall too low and that he would have difficulty recovering? Or that his side effects would be more severe with the two treatments? I think we could delay one treatment or the other.

Noreen