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?
Julie
She has been having issues with a severe rash due to a reaction to the blood transfusion she had a week ago. It clears up and then comes back and the itching is terrible. They give her two types of meds to try to combat it and it doesn't seem to be working. She is going to ask them if we might be able to donate blood for her so that maybe that might not happen. I know that I am the same type of blood as she is so maybe that would help. She will check on that tomorrow at the lab draw. She says they are already typing the blood she gets as specific to her as possible so I don't know.
We are very grateful for answered prayers for her numbers though!
Debbie
Julie
Maybe getting your blood, being her sister, would be less likely to cause issues. I can send you Virgil's contact info? I'll get it from my mom. He can help you coordinate the donation and make sure she gets your blood.
Her numbers did come up quicker this past consolidation round though since they started giving her Neupogen and Neulasta shots with her chemo. We had wanted to see about donating blood for her because she has such a severe allergic reaction each time she has to have a transfusion we thought it might help coming from a family member like a sibling. I really do appreciate your information. I am going to have her check this at her next appointment with MDA and see if it would help for us to donate her locally for her.