Myra,

It can indeed take a long time for blood counts to come back up. After I finished getting induction chemo, I spent two more weeks in the hospital with low blood counts, getting neupogen, blood transfusions, you name it. And then at two weeks, like magic, as predicted by my doctor and nurses, the counts started climbing again. Unfortunately it's the nature of the beast.

Hi Myra,
I did the same as Steve. Blood transfusions, neupogen shots, and my platletts, OMG. They got scary. But they do start to climb again. Just in time for another round of consolidation. And you will come back again. Our bodies are amazing. I have been in remission for over a year now. And my cell counts are almost back.

Blessings

lily

Hi Myra,
The waiting is really tough. There were certain things I tried to do when I was stuck. Shower everyday, and some days it took a lot of effort. I also tried to walk at least 4 times a day. Getting myself out of bed was the best medicine for me, even if it was just sitting in the chair. My family brought in 100% fruit lime popsicles, and they were the best. I hope his numbers improve quickly and he feels better soon.
Take Care,
Suzanne

Myra

It is tough waiting for the counts to rise. After my relapse my 2nd induction it took 6 weeks for my counts to rise, for 3 weeks I felt fine and was bored in hospital then I got pneumonia and then an allergic reaction and fever of unknown origin. It was an horrendous time for me but I I recognized I needed something to pick me up a bit and asked for 'well' friends and family to visit. Maybe ask a friend that you think will give him a lift in spirits to visit. It gave me something to look forward to, they often brought food as I despised the hospital food after so long. I hated if my husband got caught up with something and was late, you can only lie there and watch so much tv. If he is not eating then try protein drinks either milk or fruit based. Bring in favourite treats muffins, candy etc.

I hope some of this helps and I'm sure his counts will rise soon and he will be back in the comfort of home in no time.

Nicole

Myra, I hope by now David is feeling a bit more optimistic and that his counts have started to rise. Those lengthy stays in the hospital can surely get old fast. I remember Jay had one stint in the hospital that lasted over 80 days! Ugh. It seems that he is one that always takes forever for his counts to come back up. I agree with others about getting more interesting food up to the hospital. In fact, I don't think Jay ever took a meal tray for either lunch or dinner. Friends and family kept him nourished with meals and snacks. It makes hospital life a little better when you have good tasting smells and food available. I'll be thinking and praying for you both.

Ed, I also wanted to add that Jay has a tentative BMT date of June 6th (unless we can get it bumped up a bit sooner). So the two of you will be on a similar time schedule. We will stay in touch about that!

Jay and my daughter are home from the hospital as of yesterday afternoon. They are staying with me until he reenters the hospital. They are in complete bliss right now. We all are.

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend. Love to you all!
--Tina

I am so appreciative to everyone on this site. Knowing that you have walked in our shoes, and understand what we are experiencing, is an enormous help to the both of us. After reading your comments and suggestions, it appears that we are on track and that the numbers will eventually rise. When I was in the elevator this morning, I spoke with one of David's nurses and was bemoaning the fact that he was still here after 11 days. She told me of a patient who has been hospitalized since January. And, Tina, reading that Jay had an 80-day stay at one point, puts everything in perspective. It seems that I have to learn to relax more and let the treatment take its course. I sincerely appreciate being able to reach out to you for your advice and support. No one else can provide me the same wisdom and compassion.

Myra

Myra -- yes, you are "getting it." Sanity is all about patience. I actually argued with them at one point when they wanted to send me home because I felt more comfortable in the hospital. I can work anywhere there is a network connection and had been working in the hospital so perhaps I just did not miss too much being away from home. On the other hand, I might have just gotten so used to being there that I was afraid to leave that environment. I never figured I was going to get out of there anyway when I went in. It was strange getting out. Perhaps just don't think that much about David's getting out and the time will pass much quicker. Take care -- we are all praying for you and David -- dave

Myra, we will be praying for a healthy recovery, sometimes things take a little longer than others, doctors dont like to keep people in the hospitol longer than they have to, everything has to do with risk factors, hospitols are not the most sanitary places, you would think so,but there not, stay srrong.....Billy and Tina

Myra,

I had and still have millions of questions like yourself.

The Cancer council support officer from our hospital explained it to us as a 28 day cycle (on average) normally you have your chemo round, then your blood counts drop and in some case like the immune ones they will be 0 then around day 21 your counts should rise again until approx day 28 then they should be at a point where you can go home and wait until round 2.

My mum had the chemo in hospital, and had to stay there during the whole first cycle, days 10 - 20 were the longest as the numbers would never move, but she was very very lucky and the numbers went up on the 20th and by the 24th day she was able to leave hospital.

During the stay she did the same as Suzanne, she got up and dressed everyday, walked at least 3 times a day to keep strength up.... even if that meant just a lap around the ward.

Hope all is going well
x

Thanks Aussiemum, Billy and Dave. Your advice and tips were very helpful. The 28 day cycle made perfect sense to me when explained the way you did, Aussiemum. I feel that this is the only place where I can go to get the answers that I need. This is not to say that the nurses and doctors are not helpful; however, your insight is priceless. David's counts went up as expected and he is home now awaiting his next consolidation round. Thanks again.

Myra

Myra, glad he is home and ready for the next round :) good luck, my mum has just started the second round .... a little more informed as to what to expect but still the waiting is very very long :)

Myra, Glad to hear you two are home for a few days. I was in the hospital for 6 days for chemo, came home for about 5 days and back in for two weeks because of low cell counts. I was in 3 weeks one time because the little buggers wouldn't come back. I think that was my second round of consolidation. But come back I did. In time for another round. Now I am home and one year remission. Counts are finally looking better. The four times slapping my bone marrow down took its toll. It took a few months to recover from the last chemo.
Hang in there it will happen for him. It is just the waiting.And Waiting!
With each round he is closer to the end of it all.

lily

Hello everyone,
My sister sent me this group and it has helped me so much! Thank you! It's been such a relief to find others suffering from the same disease with the same kind of challenges. Thank you for this - it has made such a difference in my journey, which has been very lonely at times (so few people have AML!) and scary (as you all know). I am looking forward to participating and helping support everyone as they go through whatever they have to go through.

Julia, welcome to the group. Jump right in with advice, ideas. We share it all, the good , bad and ugly. We have all been better for sharing our stories. I also share the info I get with my doctors, but by far the best part, is you are NOT alone !!
Andrea

Julia, I'm glad you have found this site too! I wish I had whilst I was going through treatment. I see you've had a rough time during your induction. There are a number of us that have gone through transplant so you may find that helpful. I look forward to seeing your posts!

Nicole