First -- congratulations -- actually the longer between tests the better they think your prognosis, so I would not be overly concerned. I am up to one per year now and am about a 5.5 year survivor (chemo only) -- you will be too before you know it! I have an idea that there are various insurance standards that they are up against. Perhaps if you request more often they could do it but would have to charge you, I do not think that would be worth it. The other thing is to just keep close watch on how you are feeling. If something is off, you will know it, and if you get to feeling spacy or light headed be sure to let them know and they will get you in for a test. I had broncitus starting a little before Christmas and lasted three months -- never had that before and suspected it could have been related to my blood counts -- so I set up an appointment with them, they had no problem with it -- turned out it was not blood related -- not sure what caused the problem to persist for so long, but there were a lot of people with the same complaints.

Bottom line -- I don't think you should worry too much about going three months, but keep close watch on the way you feel -- daveB

Hi Tammy,

Love the profile pic! :-)

Many here are chemo only and we all seem to have a somewhat different follow up protocol. I think most of the time this is dictated by three med team vice individual patient. Where I am seen I go for monthly labs and bi monthly pcr tests to look fir any chromosomal signs of inversion 16. In Nov, when I reach 2 years post last chemo I will go to the month labs and pcr every six months.

I understand the odd feeling that comes from post consolidation. I think my protocol offs one of the stricter ones while most seem to go to the months like you.

You have this demon beat by God's grace. Your precious boys need their momma

Blessings
Julie

Immediately after treatments since I still had a PICC line for awhile, I would still go three days a week. After getting the line removed, to save myself constant sticking, I went to every other week. I am now almost 9 months post treatment and go once a month or after anytime I am sick. Everyone is different, but when I go do labs monthly I feel like I have a better eye on my progress, etc. I follow up with my oncologist at MDA every three months, but have standing orders back in my hometown to essentially do bloodwork whenever I need to/want to.

Congrats on finishing treatment:). I am an inversion 16 and I did 7+3 and 4 rounds of consolidation. My oncologist tests my blood every 3 months and I also get a Petscan.

Welcome Julie,

Suo glad you made it over to daily strength. I am confident that many here will benefit from your unique journey. Soon your aml struggle will seem like it never happened. I know at 28 months post dx I truly forget it some days. They are blessed days. Praying for continued health for you.

Blessings
Julie

Thanks Julie:). I am definitely feeling pretty normal:). It looks like there are a bunch of chemo only which is very exciting for me:). Thanks for accepting me in your group:). Blessing for good health and remission! Hugs:)).

Welcome JulieKing! Can I ask why you get a PET scan?

Thanks:). My Subtype of AML is extremely rare. It presented as a myeloid sarcoma in my jejunum small intestine. It was the size of a grape but it caused a complete blockage. I had no idea that AML can present outside the bone marrow but mine did. The tricky part of mine is it is so rare there is no established treatment plan. I hope I'm making the correct decisions so I can enjoy my family:))). The petscans can detect tumors and they said no to bone marrow biopsies because it wasn't in the marrow. I know it is hard to wait 3 months for the blood draw but my doctor mentioned you would know if your counts were dropping because you would feel horrible and have a difficult time fighting the common cold. I'll be thinking good thoughts for everyone:)))

My husband was chemo only and is 2 1/2 years out from last treatment and almost 3 years out from diagnosis. He has blood draws every 6 months. I was concerned at 2 years when it went from 3 months to 6 months but the doc told us that almost all of the relapses he sees are not caught at these routine blood draws. The patient usually catches the symptoms of relapse and comes in to confirm it.

:) Julie (there are a lot of us Julie's on here-hehe)

Thanks Everyone:). I'm very excited to be a part of this group:))). One of the many Julie's:). I am a worrier so this really lifts my spirits!!!

Julie, vakmom,

I am so grateful that you stay with us and provide updates in Vince. Successful stories like this give so many including me hope and faith. Bless you for helping is all.

Blessings
The other, other Julie