Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) Support Group

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), also known as acute myeloid leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells. Patients with AML usually present with symptoms such as fatigue, bleeding, infection, prompting medical attention. An abnormal blood test reading will then result in further testing in a hospital with a hematologist to determine AML.

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Leukemias
/ Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) Support Group

Day 24

chicagomomof3
chicagomomof3
Still at Loyola. Waiting for counts to recover. Sounds like I have three donors that the lab is looking at. Target date is 3rd week of March. I'm really worried about the side effects of such high intensity conditioning chemo. I'm not getting radiation. I'm also worried about GVHD. And of course, what if I do all this and I relapse again? I'm just overwhelmed by the whole thing. Trying to keep my focus on God and trusting Him. That gets me through most days.
amesch1
amesch1
Although conditioning chemo is in a league all of its own, going through the leukemia chemo helps to slightly prepare you for what's ahead. Immediate side effects are typical i.e. nausea, weakness, etc. Long term side effects you just can't really know or predict if or when they will occur. I'm assuming you will have some Busulfan in your conditioning which is known to cause long term lung complications. However, my first pulmonary function test (PFT) after transplant actually showed that my lung function was better than before, so it never really makes sense haha. The chance of relapse is always a thought in the mind of the cancer survivor, especially in leukemia where it seems that relapse occurs more often than most cancers.

It's okay to feel overwhelmed. If anyone who has gone through the process of transplant tells you that they weren't overwhelmed or just scared of the whole process itself is probably not being completely honest. It's no small task that you are about to undertake, but, a task that you can and will accomplish nonetheless. You will face many obstacles along the way to recovery, but it does get better. It may not feel that way at times, but it does.

Don't hesitate to ask any of us who have gone through stem cell for input. We are all here to help each other. While we will never be able to fully understand your experience because that is something only you can truly do, we can find moments of similarity that allow us to connect and share our thoughts on the matter.

Trusting it to God is always a great start and will be your source of strength above all else through this. It's going to be okay and I'll keep you in prayers along the way!

Andy
worriedmom2014
worriedmom2014
Tammy

It is normal to feel overwhelmed. Just take it one day at a time and have faith that you will be healed.

Hugs and prayers.

Karen
xuelan
xuelan
Tammy,

Just put one foot in front of the other and keep your eyes always on the horizon and not on your feet. You will get through this. EVERYONE worries about relapse at first, because doctors do nothing to put this in perspective without spouting statistics. I no longer think about relapse....ever, now that I am nearly 5 years post transplant. Just be positive about everything, as there is no reason to feel otherwise.

Cliff