Hello,

I've been reading the boards for a while and have finally decided to post. 

My father was dx with AML back in late June 2016. After visiting the hematologist for about 6 months due to CBC that showed low counts across the board, he was given a BMB (my dad also has stage 1 bladder cancer and Parkinson's) that confirmed the worst. My father is 76 years and because of the BC and Parkinson's, he opted for no treatment and wanted to live life to the fullest, which I completely respected and as it turns out, has been a blessing for him. His prognosis was 6 months at best, according to his oncologist, so we immediately started hospice once a week for comfort care and levaquin to mitigate any infections. I live out of state but took a leave of absence from work in July to ensure I could travel frequently (every other week) and manage his care.

There have been several ups and downs and many scares - infections (mainly UTIs) -  but he had been living relatively the same prior to dx and even continued his daily walks of 2-3 miles/day. Around Thanksgiving, he caught another UTI and this set him back tremendously and was put on a course of Augmentin to treat the bacteria and yeast infection. He grew weaker and weaker, lost a ton of weight, walking to the bathroom was difficult task etc. and this progression continued downhill. In mid December, I was called by hospice to come right away as the infection had gotten worse and he was certainly at the end-stage of AML and probably wouldn't make it through the weekend. His goal was to make it to Christmas and low and behold, we are in mid January and he is still here. As a caregiver and daughter, I've gone through so many emotions - the ups and downs of the disease, preparing for the worst, trying to live each day to the fullest and also manage a life out of state with a family and two small children. 

Tomorrow, I am returning to work as my FMLA has ended and will have been on leave for 6 months. My father seems to be doing quite well (thriving might be an exaggeration but he sounds and looks better than he has in months). I am so mixed about going back because I don't have the luxury of visiting as frequently and worried he will take another downturn. Hospice has said he isn't getting better but is going through the normal fluctuations of the disease and it's still end-stage. 

Has anyone experienced a similar situation where there have been so many close calls yet have beat the estimated prognosis given? I am aware he is not in remission but also wondering is it common for someone of his condition to continue on this up-tick or is it short-lived? I read and know instances where people become hopeful for a while and then a sobering reality kicks in and the progression comes back with a vengeance. I know every single person is different and really not asking for a finite answer - just looking for other experiences that are/have been similar. 

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.