[Greg H]

Hey Kim!

I second what the other have said and would add that different docs can have very, very different assessments of the best treatment option. I really think you have to listen to all of them, understand why they are recommending what they are recommending, and then (to paraphrase a former POTUS) you are the "decider."

I have huge respect for my transplant center doc at Wake Forest, and a huge amount of respect for the NIH doc running the trial that I'm about the enter.

The former -- backed up by her whole team, including the docs specializing in MDS drug therapy -- felt I should have a transplant now, despite minimal quality of life impact of my anemia, minimal blasts, etc.

The NIH doc said, given my chromosomes and low risk profile, if I chose not to participate in his clinical trial, he would recommend that I watch and wait.

My local hematologist wisely observed: "When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail."

For me, I can't just weigh the opinions and credentials of those two fantastic docs, or flip a coin. I have to understand why each of them is recommending what they are recommending and then decide where to place my bets.

Good luck with your decision.

Take care!

Greg