Yes I can relate to your words ā¦thank you ā¦my wife (mary) finds it hard it upsets her when people ask here about my bloods she feels they donāt believe its a cancerā¦ its been a hard year thank you again for your comments. It helps to know your not alone 
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Thank you Jilly I was diagnosed just over 2 years ago ā¦ things seem to be changing a bitā¦but it helps to know your not alone. It was my wife that encouraged my to join its good too read outher peopleās thoughts on things ā¦thanks again
Itās been a tough 18 months too with covid out there
take care
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Hi @SMIDDY it must have been a tough 18mths for you and your wife, especially when you add Covid times into the mix.
I usually say that at last count there were about 137 blood cancers and that ends the conversation.
Yes, my blood tests fluctuate as well and I always get anxious before all medical appointments and I was diagnosed 17 yrs ago and now 71yrs old.
I hope I have got this right but it sounds to me as if you and your wife can talk about your thoughts and feelings. Thatās brilliant because then you can support each other.
I have found that family members go through the same rollercoaster of thoughts, emotions and practicalities as we do, they are the unsung heroes.
Donāt forget the Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you and also your wife, their contact is at the top of the pages.
I am so glad that your wife encouraged you to join our forum, you certainly are in the right place.
I really look forward to hearing more from you.
Look after yourselves.
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Hi I going for my third covid vaccine tomorrow
And flu jag has anyone else had theirs ā¦ hope all goes well ā¦
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Yep, all done and all went fine x
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Yes, @SMIDDY I have had my 3rd Covid and flu vaccines, go for it and look after yourself.
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We had a lot of new members in October! If youāre new here, a very warm welcome to you. Please feel free to introduce yourself here 
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Hi my name is sue and I was diagnosed with myelofibrosis 6 months agoā¦my medication is ruxolitinib and dosage is up and down at the moment but it does help with symptoms it is a horrible disease but with care and support life does get better ā¦
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Hi @Suzyq, I bet your diagnosis was a shock, but I am so glad that your symptoms are better with your medication and that with care and support life does get better.
Well you now have a forum family to support you too.
Look after yourself and please keep posting.
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Great to have you here and for you to be able to share with us all X
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My name is Kate. I am a 78 year old widow and Ilive in the Lake District. I was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/MPN overlap in February 2021.I find it very hard to come to terms with this and although I have a loving family they not near. I would love to hear fron anyone who has had the same diagnosis.
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Hi @KateS a very warm welcome to you. It cannot have been easy for you being diagnosed amid Covid times. I felt the only one in the world when I was diagnosed which I think is why I found it so hard to come to terms with.
On the Blood Cancer UK website at the top there is āUnderstanding Blood Cancerā in in there is another heading āAll types of Blood Cancerā and you will find information on Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
Do you have any support locally, although you say that your family are not near. Anyway you now have your forum family for support and if you would like to talk to someone the Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you too.
Are you on any treatment currently?
I look forward to hearing more about you and look after yourself and keep posting.
Hello @KateS and welcome to the group. It must be really hard not having any family near by so Iām really glad your found the forum. How are things for you at the moment? Do you have a good medical team?
Coming to terms with it is difficult and it may take some time. Just be kind to yourself and keep sharing on here X
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Hi. Iām Tricia, diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) back in 2010 and still on watch and wait. Iāve joined because Covid has made it really hard to access information and get a perspective on my level of risk though I know my surgery and the NHS in general have people even more at risk/ill than me. I did ask a question of Bloodcancer UK and their clear answer was such a relief - just to get accurate balanced info and within that was a reference to this forum. Not sure whether others find the various reductions in others taking care seems almost a threat to those who may be more vulnerable. I am trying to make the correct decisions for myself without adding to the load of any medical people or detracting from other patients. I am all for people helping each other / taking part in research.
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Welcome Tricia and thank you for introducing yourself.
I totally hear and agree with all that youāve said. Itās really hard to speak to people who sometimes cant empathise on both the small and big things going on in your life and your condition and sometimes the thought of having to go back to the very beginning to make sense of where you are now is so exhausting you question the point of talking about it or whether the person in discussion will properly get it. One thing I soon discovered being on here is that there are so many people listening and understanding where you are at and have amazing ears and/or offer amazing support and advice.
I feel like we are in such a niche group for the big world to consider but itās totally reversed when being here. The bcuk, the support people and forum members have been excellent during this pandemic and have so many success stories helping those that arenāt getting much from those around them physically.
Please continue to share and report how you are getting onā¦ be great hearing more from you when you get the chance
Stay safe 
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What a lovely welcome message. Thank you Rammie18.
Tricia
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Hi @nelletap a great big welcome to our forum.
Yes everything seems a confusing minefield doesnāt it.
What is the realistic risk I keep on asking myself too.
I agree as restrictions are lifted for the majority it feels as if it is more of a threat to the vulnerable minority.
We are so lucky to have Blood Cancer UK campaigning, informing us and supporting us with their helpline.
This forum really just makes me realise that I am not the only one with anxious thoughts and feelings.
I really look forward to hearing more about you.
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Hi Erica is Bob just something I wish to relate to the community cos Iām quite confused today I went into hospital to have an infusion of these new new anti viral drugs to fight covid however a little while ago one of my specialist nurse is called me me from haematology and said that they donāt know nothing about these drugs yet and I said that youāre the expert in blood cancer and he said hasnāt filled with through to us yet so I canāt say nothing about it I just thought that was a very very strange
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