Rich's diagnosis

is Primary Myelofibrosis. Other things can cause myelofirbrosis but the doctor thinks it is primary. Cancers can cause it but he doesn't think that's it. Hence, the "primary" term. Myelofibrosis can be triggered by exposure to a toxin but since Rich never worked around chemicals that probably isn't the issue. It just is what it is. Basically the abnormal myelofibrosis cells replace regular cells in the bone marrow. It is sort of like scar tissue. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/myelofibrosis/AN00474 Anyway, no treatment for now. No symptoms on Rich's part yet. He has low platelets and an enlarged spleen. That's it for now. Doc will see him in 6 months and probably every 6 months. Treatment options are limited... remove the spleen if it gets too big, chemotherapies perhaps, bone marrow transplant has been somewhat helpful - but those are all really long term things and not in the near future. Doc said he expects to be seeing Rich for many years to come and perhaps even decades. Lets hope so. We are fine with this. It is what it is. No need worrying about it now. Just live each day to the fullest. Kathy

I'm sorry for what it is, but glad for what it isn't...

I understand that oh too well. Just don't like the stats. Average lifespan after diagnosis is 5 years, I think. Average lifespan for someone without symptoms... 11 years, I think. Thank goodness no symptoms. Average lifespace with symptoms... 3 years. I hate all those averages.... Kathy

Give Rich a big hug for us!

I sure will. Thanks and he'll thank ya too. Kathy