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Burt,
I'm very sorry to hear of the medical problems your dad has had and of the MDS diagnosis last year. He's been through the ringer and your family along with him.
Assuming your father lives near you, is he being treated at the Medical College of Wisconsin or at one of the major centers in Chicago? It sounds like his doctors are familiar with MDS, but still that's the very first question I have. Every MDS case is a little bit different and your father's history makes him all the more unique. Determining the best treatment choice is often a matter of balancing trade-offs because each medicine or procedure can introduce risks. So the expertise of the doctors is very important.
How long ago was the tongue cancer treatment?
Your father's other health problems and surgeries and the fact that it's chemically induced MDS aren't factors in his favor but he's got a few things going for him: expert doctors in your area, a lot more accumulated experience and knowledge about MDS than in years past, and especially your presence and attention. The fact that you are keeping track of his condition and treatments, and seeking information and advice, shows how much you are a part of his team. He's very lucky to have you doing this and I hope he realizes it and that it comforts him. Make sure you, your father, and/or others in your family are able to talk to his doctors regularly to ask and understand what they are doing and why.
It may be hard to be optimistic in a crisis but I think that whatever optimism you can muster and share will be worth its weight in gold.
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