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Originally Posted by bailie
One other question, what is "watch & wait"? I struggle with that term because it is so important to have a stem cell transplant (if that is the end game) in optimum health. Does "watch & wait" mean when things get worse they will start treatment?
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Hi Bailie, we've basically been watching and waiting the last two years or so, since referral to hematologist, who only just did the BMB recently. He's been having B12 shots once a month and lab tests about every 3 months. His numbers are fairly stable -- have not really budged. Haven't improved - but haven't crashed either.
His doc is saying to continue to watch and wait for now, though EPO or a transplant may be in his future. For now they want to continue with B12 shots and watching his labs to see what happens.
Whatever's going on with him, it's slow progression. And we hope it stays that way.
To give you an idea how slow, he's actually been tracked by his GP for about 8 years, treated for anemia, but also during that time would periodically have other low numbers along with mysterious bruising and such. The numbers across the board have been steadily going down all these years. Then about two years ago the GP referred him to a hematologist, who's been tracking him ever since. 14 months ago I googled his lab results and it led me to this forum, as it seemed AA or MDS was most likely match.
Then I put it all out of my head figuring if the doctors weren't rushing a BMB, why should I borrow worry? Heh.