Setting treatment goals
Your healthcare team can help set treatment goals, such as target hemoglobin (Hgb)
levels, transfusion needs and symptoms.
You and your healthcare team should work together to set both short-term goals and long-term goals for your treatment and to figure out how treatments are working at each appointment.
It’s very important that you understand your treatment goals—so if you have questions, or if the goals are confusing, speak up. Don’t be afraid to ask for further explanations or clarify any confusing information.
An example treatment goal might be increasing your Hgb level. Having an Hgb-based goal is common for people who have anemia because Hgb levels can have a possible impact on the severity of symptoms. How people feel at different Hgb levels can vary from person to person, so make sure to talk to your healthcare team about what range aligns to your treatment goals.
Setting activity-based goals
Activity-based goals can help you understand how myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)-related anemia is still impacting your day-to-day life.
Like your healthcare team’s treatment goals, your activity-based goals can include short-term and long-term goals to help measure your progress. When you’re setting activity-based goals, think about how the severity of your symptoms has impacted your daily life. It might also help to ask a loved one for their point of view. By working together, you’ll be able to better understand how the severity of your symptoms has impacted your daily life.
Work with your loved ones to answer questions like:
Speaking up with your healthcare team and discussing your answers to these questions will help you know what symptoms might need attention.
Once you, your loved ones, and your healthcare team have agreed on activity-based goals, write them down. Be sure to discuss your progress toward your activity-based goals frequently, both with loved ones and during visits with your healthcare team.
For help talking about goals,
use the REBLOZYL Doctor Discussion Guide.
Why is tracking important?
To make the most out of any treatment, it’s important to keep track of how you are responding. Tracking how you feel right from the start of treatment and sharing your notes with your healthcare team provides them with important information that allows them to make adjustments.
What can I track during appointments?
Depending on the type of appointment, make sure to write down the following:
Treatment information, including dates and dosages
Test results, including Hgb and any info about changes in your levels
Transfusion information, including dates and number of units
Your appointment is your time.
Don’t hold back any questions, remember to take notes, and bring someone with you if you think it might be helpful.
What can I track in between appointments?
Your day-to-day tracking is just as important as the information from your appointments. At home, you and your loved ones can note:
For help with tracking, try the REBLOZYL Treatment Tracker
Your healthcare team doesn’t know what you don’t share with them. Taking an honest and open approach will help them understand how you are progressing toward your goals.
