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, hope it is ok that I started a thread; was worried that your post would get buried in the more general one! First, I will say that I am so sorry for what your family is experiencing right now. I am finding myself overwhelmed with sadness at the prospect of my nearly 70 year old father undergoing his SCT this week (admitted today!), and can't begin to imagine what it would be like to have a 9 year old baby be faced with this. It is just too much.
Anyway, your question about marking the 100 days reminded me of what my kids' elementary schools do to mark day 100 of the school year - I wonder if a quick google search would turn up anything fun or interesting? Lots of those teachers get quite creative! I was also thinking of something along the lines of an advent calendar...I wonder if your nephew would enjoy some of the more complex lego projects? I know that my little boy and his big sister can spend hours and hours doing stuff like that. If this kind of thing is permitted in the hospital, it might be nice to have as it can be enjoyed for a while, put aside, and then returned to.
I wish I had something more to offer. You are wonderful to be supporting your nephew and his parents in this way.
Robin
Anyway, your question about marking the 100 days reminded me of what my kids' elementary schools do to mark day 100 of the school year - I wonder if a quick google search would turn up anything fun or interesting? Lots of those teachers get quite creative! I was also thinking of something along the lines of an advent calendar...I wonder if your nephew would enjoy some of the more complex lego projects? I know that my little boy and his big sister can spend hours and hours doing stuff like that. If this kind of thing is permitted in the hospital, it might be nice to have as it can be enjoyed for a while, put aside, and then returned to.
I wish I had something more to offer. You are wonderful to be supporting your nephew and his parents in this way.
Robin
Thanks for your reply! I did a double take when I saw the subject of this and it took a few seconds to realize this was pointed at me. You are so sweet!
It's funny you mention the 100 day of the school year thing. I have 4 kids myself ranging from kindergarten to 6th so they have had many "100 day" celebrations. It is now taking on a whole new meaning. It did actually inspire me with the poster I put together. I am luckily good at photoshop so made a calendar with the dates, and day number in each square of the calendar. Then I surrounded the whole thing with fun and silly pictures. Their doctor is a Packers fan (ugh) and I found a pic of him on the internet and photoshopped in a bears hat with a quote bubble saying "Yeah, Bears beat Packers!" - something for them to joke about. I got it printed at Costco - 20"x30" then laminated at Staples. I am excited to give it to them tomorrow because it's cute and impossible not to smile at all the silly pictures. I wish I could post the image, but probably shouldn't for privacy reasons.
When he does reach day 100, I think I may have to go to a teacher supply store (or internet) and get all the goofy 100 day hats and paraphenalia to celebrate the milestone.
Love the lego idea - for some reason I think he hasn't done much with legos (although my 6 year old is obsessed), but I think activities like that, puzzles, etc. that take a lot of time may be good suggestions. Also, he's a verocious reader, so that's good.
A friend of mine also suggested a practical joke kit. Like a whoopie cushion, fake poop, spilled nailpolish, etc. Something fun for him to do with the nurses. OK, yes, he is 9!
And Robin... best of luck and lots of love to your father. He too is lucky to have a supportive daughter who will be with him every step of the way.
So.... his transplant is set for tomorrow - likely late afternoon/early evening. So, please all, positive vibes, prayers, etc.
I'm praying for all of you, sincerely.
That sounds like a great idea! I'm sure he will love it. The Lego, puzzles and joke items sound great too as does the iPad idea. As he will be in a children's hospital I'm sure they will also have fun things going on to keep him amused. Wishing your nephew well.
Nicole