As the scorching sun begins its descent, but the wind continues to blow hot, I arrive at a sprawling, historic hacienda built about 100 years ago in downtown San Antonio. The antiquity of the place reminds me of why we’re here: to talk about an age-old, still elusive blood cancer called myelofibrosis (MF) that was discovered in 1879.

In the middle of the abode is a courtyard centered by an ancient live oak whose branches reach out to the house’s edges. Under the tree is a table ready for a four-course dinner and three very special guests. I’ve invited two community hematologists-oncologists, Dr Scott Ulmer and Dr Elizabeth Bowhay-Carnes, to share their thoughts about MF with an international MPN specialist, Dr Ruben Mesa. It’s a fitting metaphor for the ideal treatment situation in myelofibrosis: the community physicians, guiding patients on a day-to-day basis, working closely with Dr Mesa, who spends much of his time researching the latest therapies, in order to optimize care in one of the most challenging of diseases.

It’s a Monday evening and each doctor has had a full day. Dr Mesa has literally flown in from a hematology congress in Vienna. Scheduling this evening was a bit like a game of Tetris, each doctor with an understandably busy schedule, San Antonio being the 7th largest city in the U.S. But, as I quickly discovered, these physicians are energized by all the news that’s happening in MF, and how that news could affect their patients. So after cooling off with a margarita, we sat down for some good Mexican food (low-inflammatory, of course) and even better conversation.

— Marcella McCarthy

Moderator and Journalist