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 another BMB yesterday and a visit with doc at MDA. He told her that he would see what the results were for her BMB and if they are good, then she MAY only have the last three chemo treatments to go. If he doesn't like anything he sees on the BMB then she may have to do longer.
It was at this point that my sister lost it. She has been doing chemo treatments for two years now and when she finishes the last 3 (hopefully) she will have had a total of 12 treatments. He told her that her body just doesn't process the chemo out like most people and so it takes her longer each time to recover and they have had to reduce the dose too much. He also told her that even with the 12 treatments she will have had, she will have only actually received 3/4 of what they wanted her to have. The last two treatments he said were going to be the roughest she has been through. She is really scared about that. He told her he is still worried about a relapse with her. Her BMBs always show molecular remission but the cytogenics note abnormal cells, not blasts, that seem to indicate persistent disease. I think Leah explained them to me as cells that were misbehaving but not actually leukemic.
We need prayers that this will not show on this one and that they will all be gone. She has been through a lot and was getting so excited that she was almost done. I'm not sure what she will do if she has to continue and I'm not sure how much more her body can take. She now needs shoulder surgery and gall bladder surgery that they are waiting for chemo to finish to be able to do so she is dealing with these issues also.
Debbie
It was at this point that my sister lost it. She has been doing chemo treatments for two years now and when she finishes the last 3 (hopefully) she will have had a total of 12 treatments. He told her that her body just doesn't process the chemo out like most people and so it takes her longer each time to recover and they have had to reduce the dose too much. He also told her that even with the 12 treatments she will have had, she will have only actually received 3/4 of what they wanted her to have. The last two treatments he said were going to be the roughest she has been through. She is really scared about that. He told her he is still worried about a relapse with her. Her BMBs always show molecular remission but the cytogenics note abnormal cells, not blasts, that seem to indicate persistent disease. I think Leah explained them to me as cells that were misbehaving but not actually leukemic.
We need prayers that this will not show on this one and that they will all be gone. She has been through a lot and was getting so excited that she was almost done. I'm not sure what she will do if she has to continue and I'm not sure how much more her body can take. She now needs shoulder surgery and gall bladder surgery that they are waiting for chemo to finish to be able to do so she is dealing with these issues also.
Debbie
Davej
I am so so sorry that Jo is dealing with this defeating news. Knowing that she has been receiving chemo for two years is daunting. As Dave said, she is such a warrior. Hearing that her cytogeniics still show signs of, I'm assuming, the inversion 16 and FLT 3 mutation. I'm pretty sure Andy and Jo have close to the same AML DX and are both treated at MDA. Maybe Andy can chime in here.
Jo is always in my prayers and will continue to be.
Blessings
Julie
Hugs to both of you Debbie and Jo.
Karen
Margaret