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, Myra
Our family is just a few weeks further into this ordeal than yours is, so mine is definitely NOT the voice of much experience here! I know how overwhelmed you must be feeling now though, and wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your husband, and hope that the worry of all of this will become a little lighter as treatment proceeds and you see your husband making progress!
My mom is Dads (67 years old, dx with AML, both induction and consolidation behind him, awaiting transplant) principal caregiver in this situation; she is holding up pretty well, though, and I thought Id share a little of what seems to be helping her. One of the things that she does on a regular basis is to journal a bit about whats going with my dads situation on the caringbridge site. This has been a surprisingly helpful thing for her to do both from a practical point of view and an emotional one: she has been able to keep track of whats going on with treatment, and share updates with friends and family who are concerned and interested in whats happening, but probably dont want to intrude with lots of questions about the details of all that is going on. In terms of the emotional or psychological benefits, it has been so wonderful to have heard from so many friends their love, prayers, well wishes, and concern have helped all of us to feel less alone in our worry about the leukemia and issues associated with treatment. The caringbridge site includes a virtual guestbook she and my Dad (when he is up to it!) check in on a daily basis, which has really lifted their spirits.
Another thing that they do is play games together whether they are in the hospital or at home, so long as he has the energy, they like to enjoy a game or two of scrabble. This is something they did all the time before AML, too, so I think it has helped a lot that theyve been able to continue to enjoy it in the midst of all of these new troubles. Maybe there is a similar activity that you and your husband might enjoy together?
We are fortunate that our family lives so near to the hospital here in Boston it probably gives my mom some relief to leave for dinner each evening and enjoy a visit with the grandkids (she is not sleeping at the hospital, but is staying with us when my Dad is here for treatment). If you are staying at the hospital, I am not surprised if the stress you are feeling isnt even just a bit more intense and persistent. I do hope that you are able to get breaks from time to time my mom will sometimes leave the hospital for a bit (especially if Dad is napping), and see a movie! Another thing that we did as a family was to cover a bulletin board with family photos and pictures of places that are special to us as impressed as we all are with Brigham & Womens Hospital here in Boston, it is still a sterile hospital room, after all, so it seems to have helped both Mom and Dad to have pictures of people and places they love most to take the chill off of the room. The bulletin board is a handy thing to have, as of course weve been able to bring it to the hospital and home again as hes undergone various chemo rounds.
Dad is coping as well as he can, I think. We did get an ipad for him, so if he is feeling well enough, he will read email or watch a Netflix movie. He also reads a lot, which does help alleviate some of the boredom that comes with a long hospital stint. He takes an Ambien each evening to help him sleep, along with an Ativan, which is meant to help him relax a bit and lighten some of the anxiety that has naturally accompanied his situation.
I hope that you are doing okay, and that as the shock of your husbands diagnosis becomes a little less intense, you will find moments of relief and joy to sustain you through this very stressful time. Wishing you and David the very best!
Our family is just a few weeks further into this ordeal than yours is, so mine is definitely NOT the voice of much experience here! I know how overwhelmed you must be feeling now though, and wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and your husband, and hope that the worry of all of this will become a little lighter as treatment proceeds and you see your husband making progress!
My mom is Dads (67 years old, dx with AML, both induction and consolidation behind him, awaiting transplant) principal caregiver in this situation; she is holding up pretty well, though, and I thought Id share a little of what seems to be helping her. One of the things that she does on a regular basis is to journal a bit about whats going with my dads situation on the caringbridge site. This has been a surprisingly helpful thing for her to do both from a practical point of view and an emotional one: she has been able to keep track of whats going on with treatment, and share updates with friends and family who are concerned and interested in whats happening, but probably dont want to intrude with lots of questions about the details of all that is going on. In terms of the emotional or psychological benefits, it has been so wonderful to have heard from so many friends their love, prayers, well wishes, and concern have helped all of us to feel less alone in our worry about the leukemia and issues associated with treatment. The caringbridge site includes a virtual guestbook she and my Dad (when he is up to it!) check in on a daily basis, which has really lifted their spirits.
Another thing that they do is play games together whether they are in the hospital or at home, so long as he has the energy, they like to enjoy a game or two of scrabble. This is something they did all the time before AML, too, so I think it has helped a lot that theyve been able to continue to enjoy it in the midst of all of these new troubles. Maybe there is a similar activity that you and your husband might enjoy together?
We are fortunate that our family lives so near to the hospital here in Boston it probably gives my mom some relief to leave for dinner each evening and enjoy a visit with the grandkids (she is not sleeping at the hospital, but is staying with us when my Dad is here for treatment). If you are staying at the hospital, I am not surprised if the stress you are feeling isnt even just a bit more intense and persistent. I do hope that you are able to get breaks from time to time my mom will sometimes leave the hospital for a bit (especially if Dad is napping), and see a movie! Another thing that we did as a family was to cover a bulletin board with family photos and pictures of places that are special to us as impressed as we all are with Brigham & Womens Hospital here in Boston, it is still a sterile hospital room, after all, so it seems to have helped both Mom and Dad to have pictures of people and places they love most to take the chill off of the room. The bulletin board is a handy thing to have, as of course weve been able to bring it to the hospital and home again as hes undergone various chemo rounds.
Dad is coping as well as he can, I think. We did get an ipad for him, so if he is feeling well enough, he will read email or watch a Netflix movie. He also reads a lot, which does help alleviate some of the boredom that comes with a long hospital stint. He takes an Ambien each evening to help him sleep, along with an Ativan, which is meant to help him relax a bit and lighten some of the anxiety that has naturally accompanied his situation.
I hope that you are doing okay, and that as the shock of your husbands diagnosis becomes a little less intense, you will find moments of relief and joy to sustain you through this very stressful time. Wishing you and David the very best!
This is what I witnessed as a caretaker. It took my dad about 3 weeks AFTER the last day of his chemo for his counts to even start to move. Good thing is, though, that normally when they start to climb, they do so rather quickly. It's easy for me to tell you to not worry, but truly, this is early in the game for David. It can be some time before those counts move. Just keep thinking positively and give him extra TLC. Thinking of you both. xo
My second induction was MEC. I did not have any trouble with it. One of the drugs is blue as I recall and you pee green. I emailed pictures to my family for fun during the night. They were hysterical and it kept everyone's spirits high, and I am now known as the only one that sent people pictures of urine in a hat. Whatever. Have to laugh sometimes.
So, ope fully. It is an easy re induction for you.
Thinking of you.
Andrea