patient
Builds supportive community to help him with MDS and bone marrow transplant
When Duane Draper was diagnosed with MDS in July, 2009, the 57-year-old father of two grown children was asymptomatic and didn’t even realize that there was a problem with his health. Though he had been feeling slightly more fatigued, he attributed it to aging and didn’t worry about it. However, during a physical, his physician did some routine blood work and discovered that all three of his blood counts were low.
Special Issues for People with Aplastic Anemia
Special Issues for People with PNH
How do I get my medical records from a doctor?
If you want a copy of your medical records, you must submit a written request to the hospital or the doctor's office. The law requires that patients provide doctors with written authorization to disclose medical records or the information contained in them. Some hospitals have their own form that needs to be completed. Patients may receive copies of their medical records, however the originals must remain in the physician's or hospital's file. Please consult with your physician's office for access to digital records.
How do I decide between antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and bone marrow transplant for treatment of aplastic anemia?
This is an individual decision and should be discussed in detail with your doctor and the medical team that would be involved in either treatment approach. They can help you understand your specific risks and potential benefits of these options.
How long can I stay on cyclosporine?
What are the side effects of cyclosporine?
What are the risks related to getting a bone marrow/stem cell transplant?
It is important to weigh both the risks and the benefits of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. A transplant doctor can answer your questions and help you decide if a transplant is an option for you.


