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.
Jo had her lab work yesterday and her platelets are up to 21 but her blood went down to 8.7 which would normally require a transfusion for her but since she was not feeling weak and it was borderline, they did not make her have one. WBC was down but just a little. They feel that she may be "turning the corner" and that lab work Monday will tell the story.
After her last blood work when it had gone down again, they took her off of all of her anti-viral meds thinking that maybe something in those meds were suppressing her blood production. Maybe this has helped but I hope she doesn't get sick now.
Still no bmb results, which I don't understand but she seems content to wait assuming that since they have not called her and requested her to come in that this means it was ok. Which I would assume so also but it really seems that they should have given her results no matter what!
Is there ever a time when they say you can't have anymore chemo because your blood can't recover? If so, what then? Do you just wait to see if it comes back?
After her last blood work when it had gone down again, they took her off of all of her anti-viral meds thinking that maybe something in those meds were suppressing her blood production. Maybe this has helped but I hope she doesn't get sick now.
Still no bmb results, which I don't understand but she seems content to wait assuming that since they have not called her and requested her to come in that this means it was ok. Which I would assume so also but it really seems that they should have given her results no matter what!
Is there ever a time when they say you can't have anymore chemo because your blood can't recover? If so, what then? Do you just wait to see if it comes back?
I am so glad to hear Jos bmb was clear but three weeks for results is crazy. The bmb should tell the med team what's going on with count recovery. Have they discussed this. What are they saying about her next chemo. Was I correct that she it's around 90 days since consolidation one?
Julie
Cliff
I am glad to hear that Jos med team it's not stressing about the time between chemo cycles. As I've said before, my team was very concerned when I went over 60 days. Mda it's such an outstanding center. All you can do is put you full faith in their protocol. It seems herbody has begun too make platelets, that is great news. I could get chemo even if hct was low. The driver was platelets and those are moving up. She could double in just a matter of days. One thing iI found to help is I stopped all diet soda. a low platelet condition called itp is impacted by carbonation and aspartam. If she drinks that, of have her quit. Just a thought. I also drink a kale smoothie everyday. Can't hurt.
They are doing a UA on her due to the back pain but she is not running any fever and they said the pain might just be from the AML itself. Anyone experience anything like that during treatment?
Maybe just low back pain if she's been less active than normal, muscle weakness and prone posture , things like that? Just a thought?
Julie- we were told no morgues during nutropenia- I wish! Tony used to drink a green smoothie every morning was actually on the way for him to get his vegetables and but unless the vegetables are cooked he can't have anything like that :/ the food at this hospital is worse than bar food however they got three or four great grills restaurants with in the facility as well as cooking things at home and bringing it up for him choose to be our only option right now for the next three weeks...
Julie
How did Jo's labs go today? Did she make it to 60 (platelets) so she can get consolidation #2?
Praying
Julie
They did tell her at the lab clinic that when cells start producing quickly, it can cause pain as you said; however, she did turn out to have a kidney infection. She has always been prone to these and had issues with kidney stones a good bit prior to diagnosis. She is on antibiotics and is starting to feel better so we are hoping that the infection clears by then and does not effect the start of chemo if she does reach 60 by Monday.
How were Jo's counts today. Praying for platelets
Julie
Dave J.
Dave J
Debbie.