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.
There has been much discussion on slow count recovery (especailly platelets) so I want to share my story in detail in hopes of helping others.
I was diagnosed on 22 March (5 days after my 48th birthday) with, thank the good Lord, a favorable form of AML-Inverse 16 with a negative FLT3 and C-Kit. My treatment plan directed four consolidation treatments wtih high dose Ari C consolidation treatments with a projected 70% cure rate. I was told to expect 28 to 30 between consolidation treatments. Induction lasted 28 days with only mouth sores to complain about. My counts came flying back to normal ahead of schedule. I went home for six day before stating my first consolidation treatment on 30 April. When I started consolidation 1, my platelets were above normal range-440. I had a completley uneventful six day stay. I left on 5 May believing I would be back in about a month-boy was I wrong!
I visited the clinic every 2 to 3 days for plateletes and/or red blood as I nadired at home. I only needed platletes five times (my parameter is 15) and red blood three times (my HCT parameter is 23) I started neupagen shots on day ten until day 28. My nuetrifils stabilized at 1.5 (or above) by day 28.
On the other hand, my platelets languished in the 20s until day 42. Finally, they started to very slowly creep up. Yesterday, (Praise almighty God)day 72 I reached 96 and was allowed to be admitted for my second consolidation at a lower dose of Ari-C. My doctor says that many can not tolerate the higher dose and added, if the chemo slammed my marrow that hard is surely bombarded the cancer-God willing!
I feel blessed to have made it thus far and after two chemo treatment at 6pm and 6am this morning no issues accept slight nausea-God is so good!
I want each of you who encouraged me through this and most importantly prayers for meto know how much peace a received from your efforts. I share this to hopfully help others who may experience a simular situation.
God Bless each and Everyone of You!!
Julie
I was diagnosed on 22 March (5 days after my 48th birthday) with, thank the good Lord, a favorable form of AML-Inverse 16 with a negative FLT3 and C-Kit. My treatment plan directed four consolidation treatments wtih high dose Ari C consolidation treatments with a projected 70% cure rate. I was told to expect 28 to 30 between consolidation treatments. Induction lasted 28 days with only mouth sores to complain about. My counts came flying back to normal ahead of schedule. I went home for six day before stating my first consolidation treatment on 30 April. When I started consolidation 1, my platelets were above normal range-440. I had a completley uneventful six day stay. I left on 5 May believing I would be back in about a month-boy was I wrong!
I visited the clinic every 2 to 3 days for plateletes and/or red blood as I nadired at home. I only needed platletes five times (my parameter is 15) and red blood three times (my HCT parameter is 23) I started neupagen shots on day ten until day 28. My nuetrifils stabilized at 1.5 (or above) by day 28.
On the other hand, my platelets languished in the 20s until day 42. Finally, they started to very slowly creep up. Yesterday, (Praise almighty God)day 72 I reached 96 and was allowed to be admitted for my second consolidation at a lower dose of Ari-C. My doctor says that many can not tolerate the higher dose and added, if the chemo slammed my marrow that hard is surely bombarded the cancer-God willing!
I feel blessed to have made it thus far and after two chemo treatment at 6pm and 6am this morning no issues accept slight nausea-God is so good!
I want each of you who encouraged me through this and most importantly prayers for meto know how much peace a received from your efforts. I share this to hopfully help others who may experience a simular situation.
God Bless each and Everyone of You!!
Julie
They have said all the normal things "you will get an infection" "it will take longer for your figures to jump back up".... but just thought I would let you know that we are on day 17 and her figures have started to climb
She did require more blood this time as she was not holding onto it even though she was getting a bag a day but was in hospital to get them easy enough. They think this may have been related to her being a negative blood type.
Keep all the low bacteria, keeping away from people up and I have everything crossed you have a successful 2nd round :)
xx
Ive learned in this group that there are soooo many differences from one patient to another....
I was diagnosed at 49. Couldnt have any cytogenetics since I live in Central America, so.... I really dont know my prognosis.
My recovery from induction was a hard battle agains all possible complications.... my onco told me later he thought I wasnt going to make it.... but I did, and got complete remission.
During consolidation rounds, patlets were my mayor problem though red cells seemed hurt. The problem was that they fall down before expected ! and every round seemed harder for them to come up no matter being transfunded twice.... they started coming up.... and fall down again,,, dont remember in what days, but It made me crazy when they were coming down, specially because patlets are not available immediately, even in private hospitals system....only the Red Cross of El Salvador produces them upon request.... and sometimes they dont have people around to get your type.... So my nerves were broken whenever patlets didnt come up.
But they did came up once and again. I remember myself breathing not to be scared about and praying God. It was the only thing I could do..... and the only thing that I needed. Patlets always came up. My husband was in charge of telling in advance (as much as possible) when we though patlets might be needed, since the laboratory tech was a girl.... I used to tell him: you go and flirt with her so she has my patlets on time :)
Before second consolidation began, my onco wanted to do the opposite: increase the amount of Ara-C !!! I was so scared! He said I was so strong.... but since patlets did gave such hard times, I kept the "normal" amount. And patlets gave harder battles in the next consolidation rounds (I think they were 4 rounds). Every round they were more nasty.
So.... try to be calmed and trust. Sooner than you expect, you will be out of chemo. I finished mine 15 months ago and here I am, doing perfect.
Good luck !
S