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.
Cliff and I thought it would be good for everyone on the forum to enjoy and be inspired by all of the survivors' happy birthdays.
A "happy birthday" can be when you just got a good medical report, or it could just be any period of time you want to tell us about (e.g., Ben's 100 day birthday).
Please let's keep this thread positive -- if you are having trouble or issues, there are all of the rest of the threads for you, and we will surely help you. But we want this one to be one where those who have been just DXed can come and say: "Hey, all of these folks have made it and are celebrating -- I can make it too!!!
Please provide positive info from your recent exam if there was one. If not, just want to tell us about a time milestone.
Let me be the first to start. I got a great report yesterday. I had AML and still have MDS, but no matter -- I am three years and going on three months since my last treatment ... chemo only. I am now 69. Here are my important blood numbers: WBC: 4.8 (good); RBC: 3.64 (low); MCV:114 (high); MCH 39 (high); platelet: 110 (low). Might sound like bad numbers to you, but they have been consistently there for 3 and 3 now, so it just shows that survival does not depend on perfect numbers. My onc says as long as they don't change dramatically, that shows I don't have a blast problem (relapse). They don't want me back there for another six months. So wish me a happy birthday! -- dave
A "happy birthday" can be when you just got a good medical report, or it could just be any period of time you want to tell us about (e.g., Ben's 100 day birthday).
Please let's keep this thread positive -- if you are having trouble or issues, there are all of the rest of the threads for you, and we will surely help you. But we want this one to be one where those who have been just DXed can come and say: "Hey, all of these folks have made it and are celebrating -- I can make it too!!!
Please provide positive info from your recent exam if there was one. If not, just want to tell us about a time milestone.
Let me be the first to start. I got a great report yesterday. I had AML and still have MDS, but no matter -- I am three years and going on three months since my last treatment ... chemo only. I am now 69. Here are my important blood numbers: WBC: 4.8 (good); RBC: 3.64 (low); MCV:114 (high); MCH 39 (high); platelet: 110 (low). Might sound like bad numbers to you, but they have been consistently there for 3 and 3 now, so it just shows that survival does not depend on perfect numbers. My onc says as long as they don't change dramatically, that shows I don't have a blast problem (relapse). They don't want me back there for another six months. So wish me a happy birthday! -- dave
Cliff, hysterical. You guys make me laugh every day. Good for the soul!
I felt fantastic today. I made the best fish tacos for dinner and the entire clan loved them. Of course they got to eat all of the little extras I could not have, like the special white sauce, coleslaw, salsa, cheese- of well, soon enough.
Peace , love and hope,
Andrea
Yes, I am teething and that makes me rather ornery. I think I am old enough to say "NO" to everything, like my kids did at 18 months.
Heather,
I am sorry for missing your Dad's birthday! Wow. You know, to be serious for a change (which is hard for me lately, when all I read is good news), I was stricken at 58 and never thought I would live to be 60. March 28 is my parents' anniversary (#65). It was also the day that I was admitted to Sloan Kettering in a state of shock over a totally unsuspected diagnosis. Now, almost 2 years later, I am really rather healthy. Even though the word "merrily" certainly can't be applied to any of our lives (yet), I certainly believe that "life is but a dream." As the Great Gatsby did, we have been rowing our boats against the tide lately, and it is time that we take in all of the oars and let the river gently move us "down the stream." Love you all,
Cliff
P.S. Andrea. I LOVE fish tacos (actually I love fish everything). I find myself very jealous when I go to a sushi restaurant with my family and watch them gobble down those succulent pieces of raw fish. Nevertheless, who am I to deprive my incredible family of this unadulterated pleasure? Besides, I love all of the cooked selections and just have to make believe that I am allergic to sushi. I do itch when I see them eat those things, but that itch is just figurative.
The fact that your latest post was about FISH TACOS has made my weekend! Day 60 on Monday. Fantastic. Cliff, you are quite the literary wizard and I appreciate it. My depths of literature run deep, but for the past few years all I can quote is Kelly Clarkson. "What doesn't kiss you make you stronger." (Even though I know it was Nietzsche!)
Ed
Read your post - a Freudian slip. You have been spending too much time with your fiancee. LOL. I love Kelly Clarkson's music, and I think she would appreciate the poetic license you have taken with her lyrics.
You know, Eddie, I have lately enjoyed the part of are posts that are funny, frivolous, and forward looking. We have had to deal with so much sadness and uncertainty lately that I appreciate the opportunity to write about things other than disease and death, although I have to say that I cried when I heard about that young couple from Williamsburg on 880 newsradio this morning. It is absolutely incredible that the people on this website have the capacity to make me laugh. I never thought that when I joined this illustrious group that I would ever find anything anyone said to be funny, because AML is no laughing matter. It is refreshing to see that all of us are slowly becoming less and less defined by our illness and that we are able to let our true (in my case twisted) personalities bubble to the surface. I am really starting to enjoy myself.
Andrea, I wouldn't mind your fish taco recipe. I want to compare it to my wife's. BTW, she makes the best fish chowder and butternut squash soup this side of the George Washington Bridge.
Cliff
I have really enjoyed reading your posts, they have smiles and laughter, thanks. I have just passed my 40 days post transplant. I had a day 28 bone marrow biopsy, it showed no leukemia, no blasts,and 100% donor cell with a normal male karyotype per cytogenics. I now have transgender bone marrow, it changed from 46XX to 46XY. God has been good and I am so thankful!
Andrea~ Your fish tacos sound delicious!
Eddie~ I loved " What doesn't kiss you makes you stronger", made my day!
Cliff~ I love sushi too, one of my favorites. Your wife's fish chowder and butternut squash soup sound awesome
I better go make myself some lunch!
Take Care,
Suzanne
Happy 40th BIRTHDAY. That is all great news. Transgender and all!
I imagine you menat what doesn't kill you instead of kiss, but in some ways that can also be true!
We all know kisses are great but not when neutropenic!
congrats again.
Ed
CONGRATS!!!!!! Every day is an accomplishment, because you are one day closer to great health. I would give you a kiss, because I doubt you are neutropenic now. But stay away from Eddie. Don't believe his typo excuse. What doesn't kiss you makes you stronger! He said it, not me, so if you avoid HIS kiss, you can only get stronger (what ridiculous reasoning). Anyway, I love the frivolity of this thread. I couldn't be more happy for all of the new Team Transplant 2013 members. You have weathered the storm and are now shushing down over the powdery snow. Exhilarating, isn't it?
Cliff
With love,
Ed
Congrats! I too had the good fortune to get a 10/10 unrelated donor marrow and my second birthday will be on Sept 8. Please keep participating, because good news is what fuels this engine.
Cliff
A very happy birthday. We love to hear about years survival what a boost it is to the rest of us.
Stay with us your an inspiration.
Planxty xxx
Happy birthdays and happy un-birthdays to all.
This day is also a happy birthday for all of us and me. A brand new day of life.
Blessings to all
S
Hopefully the radiation will knock this tumour away & I will be free!!!
Nicole