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.
Hi All,
After almost 8 months on this crazy AML journey, I have finally been approved by my Med team to have my fourth and final consolidation session. I have NEVER been SOOOOO excited to have chemo!!!!
Most of you may know my journey but for those who are new I will share the highlights:
I was diagnosed on March 22nd (5 days after my 48th b-day). I had no symptoms other than some bruising-I had routine blood work as a follow-up to surgery in Oct. I stair stepped for 30 minutes two days prior to diagnosis. I am the mother to three amazing daughters-9,11, and 13. I was diagnosed on a Friday at 1300 at my hematologists office and checked into LDS Hospital (east 8) at 1500-got my Hickman and Induction chemo the next day.
Induction went very smoothly other than mouth sores that caused me to be on TPN (feeding tube) for two weeks. I spent 26 days in the hospital and declared in remission on 26 April.
I started Consolidation #1 @ dose 3.0 on 30 April expecting to be back in for #2 in about 30 to 35 days. Boy was I wrong. It took 72 days for my platelets to creep up to 96 and to receive consolidation #2 @ dose 2.0.
Every subsequent round resulted in a lower dose of high dose AriC and a BMB to ensure the leukemia had not returned. Praise God, I am still in remission. Fortunately, my WBC and ANC come up pretty well with the assistance of Neupagen shots that I give myself. I live close enough to the hospital (30 miles) that I am allowed to nadir at home. The only time I've spent in the hospital other than induction is the five nights (sounds better than six day) I spend in hospital getting chemo.
After my third round of chemo @ 1.5 dose, my docs contemplated stopping due to my slow count recovery, but I just got word that i'm cleared to be admitted Tuesday for my final round. My platelets doubled from 42 to 84 in eight days. I'll get another CBC on Tuesday prior to admission and if my body reacts as usually, my platelets may have dropped, I'll get another BMB and my med team will administer chemo anyway. At least I have the drill down-right.
I am just so overjoyed and grateful to almighty God to get my final treatment. For me, this the culmination of this entire journey. Whether the fourth dose makes I difference physically, I may never know but psychologically it means a ton. I pray that I can remain infection free and get through this final round as smoothly as the others.
I continue to telework full time as I have since May and plan to go back into the office part time some time in Jan of 2014. I pray 2014 is a much better year than 2013. God has truly been faithful throughout. And to echo what many here have said so much better before, I never imagined my life with AML but I have been blessed beyond measure with it. My daughters remind me often of the positives cancers has brought to our family-yes positives. Closer relationship with God, each other and a sense of gratefulness we never had. Coming from three female tweeners-pretty amazing right? I know I could not have made it this far without the support and advice of you amazing people. Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Julie
,
After almost 8 months on this crazy AML journey, I have finally been approved by my Med team to have my fourth and final consolidation session. I have NEVER been SOOOOO excited to have chemo!!!!
Most of you may know my journey but for those who are new I will share the highlights:
I was diagnosed on March 22nd (5 days after my 48th b-day). I had no symptoms other than some bruising-I had routine blood work as a follow-up to surgery in Oct. I stair stepped for 30 minutes two days prior to diagnosis. I am the mother to three amazing daughters-9,11, and 13. I was diagnosed on a Friday at 1300 at my hematologists office and checked into LDS Hospital (east 8) at 1500-got my Hickman and Induction chemo the next day.
Induction went very smoothly other than mouth sores that caused me to be on TPN (feeding tube) for two weeks. I spent 26 days in the hospital and declared in remission on 26 April.
I started Consolidation #1 @ dose 3.0 on 30 April expecting to be back in for #2 in about 30 to 35 days. Boy was I wrong. It took 72 days for my platelets to creep up to 96 and to receive consolidation #2 @ dose 2.0.
Every subsequent round resulted in a lower dose of high dose AriC and a BMB to ensure the leukemia had not returned. Praise God, I am still in remission. Fortunately, my WBC and ANC come up pretty well with the assistance of Neupagen shots that I give myself. I live close enough to the hospital (30 miles) that I am allowed to nadir at home. The only time I've spent in the hospital other than induction is the five nights (sounds better than six day) I spend in hospital getting chemo.
After my third round of chemo @ 1.5 dose, my docs contemplated stopping due to my slow count recovery, but I just got word that i'm cleared to be admitted Tuesday for my final round. My platelets doubled from 42 to 84 in eight days. I'll get another CBC on Tuesday prior to admission and if my body reacts as usually, my platelets may have dropped, I'll get another BMB and my med team will administer chemo anyway. At least I have the drill down-right.
I am just so overjoyed and grateful to almighty God to get my final treatment. For me, this the culmination of this entire journey. Whether the fourth dose makes I difference physically, I may never know but psychologically it means a ton. I pray that I can remain infection free and get through this final round as smoothly as the others.
I continue to telework full time as I have since May and plan to go back into the office part time some time in Jan of 2014. I pray 2014 is a much better year than 2013. God has truly been faithful throughout. And to echo what many here have said so much better before, I never imagined my life with AML but I have been blessed beyond measure with it. My daughters remind me often of the positives cancers has brought to our family-yes positives. Closer relationship with God, each other and a sense of gratefulness we never had. Coming from three female tweeners-pretty amazing right? I know I could not have made it this far without the support and advice of you amazing people. Thank you so much!
Blessings,
Julie
,
I completely get the happiness that you have. I, too have had those moments when you are told, this should be the last round. You also know the drill, so, to me it's predictable. I am thrilled for you to get by this round and then go into full recovery mode.
I agree, kids are amazing and your girls sound terrific. There are so many blessings that have come from this. Some People do look at me strangely when I say this, but when I explain the people I have met, the courage I have gained and the closer relationship with my husband, children and God -they get it.
I will be thinking of you as you go through this phase and pray that the infection is controlled and your platelets recover quickly. My counts take sometimes up to 42 days to rebound from chemo. I can't take neupogen and my platelets were slower after every round of chemo. My last chemo round was in September and I just reached platelets 73 last week, WBC 5.3. I have spent most of the last 16 months neutropenic or wrapped in a bubble for fear of bumping myself.
Do well. Be well. Bet strong.
Peace and hope always,
Andrea
1.5 right?
Ed
Bless each of you,
Julie
Blessings,
Julie
I just read your fantastic post! YOU GO GIRL! Couldn't be happier. Eyes on the prize!! It's coming soon.
Cliff
Julie
So happy to hear your last treatment is coming up, that is super news. It is glorious to be able to see the end of treatment. Then the focus of recovery and health can be started, praise the Lord for he is good! Praying that all goes smoothly.
Take Care,
Suzanne
Wbc 5.9
Anc 4.6
Hct 31.9
So to celebrate I donned my chemical warfare mask, mutt gloves and my banana yellow sexy germ guard smock and went for an hour walk circling the hospital listening to my favorite Christian reggae band Chritafari in the beautiful autumn air. Life is awesome
Blessings
Julie
Thinking about you. Just checking in. Hope you are doing well.
Ed
No issues whatsoever, praise God!!!
Thanks to all for live, support and prayers