From: bob
Email:
Date: 6/6/2001
Time: 12:13:48 AM
Remote Name: 24.169.74.83
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 16:03:46 EST Reply-To: "Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome support list." <AA-MDS-TALK@LISTSERV.AOL.COM> Sender: "Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome support list." <AA-MDS-TALK@LISTSERV.AOL.COM> From: Car1369@AOL.COM Subject: Re: MDS beyond myths and dostors lies... To: Panos - From : Bob Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Dear Panos, How am I going to get my Greek friend to be optimistic about beating this disease? Panos, listen to me! There is a cure for this disease, a BMT can be a cure for some and there are many out there who are leading normal lives now who once had MDS. Right now a BMT is the only cure, but doctors, who are as optimistic as I stick with the research because they believe there are other answers out there that will also be a cure. If they become pessimistic and give up all research stops. No one, my friend, has ever gotten well by being negative and pessimistic. I appreciate your very good advice about the marginal effects of many of the protocols out there that can do me and others more harm than good. We all have to proceed more cautiously. Thank you for reminding me of this. Supportive care has it's benefits and it's problems. None of us know when our disease will progress and therefore transfusions will keep us alive but not do anything to make our MDS get better. I've been lucky. My doctors had me dead 6 years ago. I believe my positive attitude and my faith in God is what's responsible for my being here writing you this email. I also believe that God helps those who help themselves. Therefore I can't just sit by hoping the disease will go away itself. Six months ago, the chances of surviving a BMT was 25%. Those were terrible statistics. Much has been done since then. Mini-transplants are now on the scene and the survival rate for them is 85%. This is not progress? And what's more, they are able to do them on patients who are 75 years of age. Six months ago, we were talking about patients being no older than 55. So my friend, there is much to rejoice, walk with me and look for the positive things that are happening all around us and together we will give hope to others for without hope we are lost. You may not believe in God, but there is a Supreme Being out there that looks after you as he looks after all of us. I ask you, my friend, try to see the goodness in this world, do your part in helping those who need help the most. Be happy, Panos because when you are happy, you have the key that will open all of the world's doors to you. I try to find my special purpose in this world, as we all do, a world so full of choices, and help lead those who stray. I have the faith to believe in myself. I know that my happiness depends on no one else but me. If there is something that I am unhappy about, I must change it. I thank you for feeling that people like Suzanne and I are brave. My bravery comes from my having faith. I believe it can only come from faith. Panos, be positive for all good things are possible when you have a positive attitude. Trust me, my friend and join me and all the others on this LISTSERV to think positive thoughts every day. When we do, we'll begin to see miracles happening all around us. God bless you. Your American friend, Bob
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