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.
Sorry I havent kept up with the site but still include you all in our prayers. I just wanted to give an update on my husband Jimmy 1 year after his BMT, things are going really well. All his blood counts are in the normal range, he is back to work but with shorter days. Jimmy is an exercise freak and I think taking it too far : biking 18 miles 3 or 4 days a week, running 5 miles on the other days and lifting weights, doing push ups and chin up every time I turn around. So needless to say he is still about 20 pounds under weight. He will still have some stomach issues if we eat out so basically we just eat at home. Since Jimmy had a T- cell depleted transplant he has not had any GVHD.The only real concern we have is his chimerism 99% myeloid cells, 98% B- cells but only 2% T-cells at the 9 month check up. We dont see the Dr. till Aug. 8th so will not have the next test results till the end of Aug. and praying they increase. Really just wanted to let anyone going through this battle to know, keep fighting it does get better.
Now a note to all caregivers, I know you have all heard that you must also take care of yourself but if you are anything like me I thought Im fine, never get sick, I have too much to take care of. well it can change very quickly. I got a kidney infection and became septic, I wound up in ICU and 5 weeks later I still have a pic line in and am on IV antibiotics. The stress can really take a toll on you so please take care of yourself.
Margaret
Now a note to all caregivers, I know you have all heard that you must also take care of yourself but if you are anything like me I thought Im fine, never get sick, I have too much to take care of. well it can change very quickly. I got a kidney infection and became septic, I wound up in ICU and 5 weeks later I still have a pic line in and am on IV antibiotics. The stress can really take a toll on you so please take care of yourself.
Margaret
Great to hear about Jimmy, but sorry to hear about you. What an ordeal! You will be well soon. As you know, I lost my mother after she fell at home and spent 10 horrible days in the equivalent of "Calcutta General," the Nassau University Medical Center. I won't go into details, but suffice it to say that I am having her care record scrutinized.
Four days after her burial, the stress got to me and I developed shingles. I was too stupid to get the antiviral medication when I first got the symptoms and now I have terrible post-herpetic neuralgia. It is excruciating, more painful than anything I experienced during my AML treatments. It could last a long time, and so I am trying to be as calm as I can be about it.
I am glad that Jimmy is working out like a fool. Once I can bear the pain, I will start doing the Jimmy Workout. There are a lot of endorphins in there and exercise makes you feel normal again.
Get well Margaret. In the meantime, make sure Jimmy caters to you (LOL - I think I know him well enough to laugh at that suggestion).
XO
cliff
Jimmys exercise routine is so impressive, I'm a wimp. Praying for 100% at the next test results. Thanks for sharing
Blessings
Julie
I hope you feel much better soon and clear up that infection :)
Thank you for taking the time to let us all know about Jimmy's health
xoxo