Questions for Your Doctor

Being diagnosed with a serious illness can be stressful and confusing. You may find it helpful to keep a journal and record your symptoms, treatments, medicines, and notes from conversations with your health care team.

The questions below will help you get started in finding out what you need to know about your illness. Write these questions in your journal and leave space to write down your doctor’s responses at your appointments.

• What are myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)?
• What type of MDS do I have, and what does it mean?
• How did I get it?
• Can I give it to other people?
• Will my children get it?
• What problems will it cause?
• How is my MDS treated?
• When will my treatments start?
• Does my treatment cause side effects?
• Will I develop leukemia?
• How long will I live with MDS?
• Are there clinical trials that I can participate in?
• How do I find out about clinical trials?
• Where can I get more information about MDS?