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.
Since being diagnosed on March 22nd something in the back of my mind has been bothering me....I could not quite put my finger on it. I have wondered why at 48, otherwise healthy, I got AML. I immediately thought of my parents chain smoking while I grew up coupled with recent chemical exposures, to include water repellant spray I used on my daughter boots.
Today, the thing in the back of my mind I could not remember came to me-candles blasted candles. Pre AML, I remembered reading an article that said candles caused cancer but paid no mind because I LOVE candles. I burn several throughout the day. At that time I did not have cancer and had never heard of the blasted chemical BENZINE. Well, guess what, my beloved candles emit benzine.
Not that it matters now, as I have AML but as far as benzine exposure goes, I have certainly had my share of it if candles count. After writing this, all my candles are going in the the trash.
Below is an article on the findings if interested.....
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Paraffin-Scented-Candles-Can-Cause-Cancer-Study-Reveals-119984.shtml
Julie
Today, the thing in the back of my mind I could not remember came to me-candles blasted candles. Pre AML, I remembered reading an article that said candles caused cancer but paid no mind because I LOVE candles. I burn several throughout the day. At that time I did not have cancer and had never heard of the blasted chemical BENZINE. Well, guess what, my beloved candles emit benzine.
Not that it matters now, as I have AML but as far as benzine exposure goes, I have certainly had my share of it if candles count. After writing this, all my candles are going in the the trash.
Below is an article on the findings if interested.....
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Paraffin-Scented-Candles-Can-Cause-Cancer-Study-Reveals-119984.shtml
Julie
There is benzene in gas that we pump into our cars. I stopped paying attention to all of the articles on cancer causing agents years ago, with exception of cigarettes. I try to focus Instead on medical journals. It just seems our environment in general is filled with carcinogens. I am not one to burn candles generally, unless the power goes out, but I do use candle Warmers occasionally. My husband is super sensitive to their perfume type smells, so they usually trigger his allergies.
Andrea
We all go through a review of our exposures as we come to grips with the realities of AML. I used to refinish furniture in the poorly ventilated basement of my apartment building when I was in med school. Could that have caused this disease years later? I realize that it is not worth the mental effort to think about that any more. As my (sometimes) wise son says, "It is what it is."
If I were you, I would enjoy my candles and avoid self-recrimination. Your candles brought you joy and were not likely to have caused any disease.
Cliff
My ex husband was a heavy smoker and so was his whole family.....none of them have developed any kind of cancer, to say the least. I have many friends that enjoy canddles as you do, and they also dont have cancer nor AML
So, keep enjoying your candles except if your onco says the opposite. If your really trust your onco, stick to him, no matter if in any occassion you ask for second opinions. In my case, my psycotherapist is also an MD and is married to my onco. Maybe it sounds funny and strange, but I call them and give them simple but significant gifts for fathers and mothers day. Thats the was I feel about them in this specific field, though they are about 8 years older than me.
So....enjoy your candles and anything in life that makes you happy.
Love
Ana Maria
It is was it is :-) Onward and upward
I would continue enjoying them :) xx
Hopefully the medical scientists in the near future will have lots of luck to rid us all of this !!
xx
Perfect attitude.
Cliff
Today while taking my daily walk with my daughters each one of us came up blessings that have come from this experience. It was amazing hearing my eight year old talk in detail on how our family has grown closer to each other and more importantly to God.
Outa the mouths of babes
Blessings,
Julie