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.
Thought I would have a place I could ask all the questions I may have as its still very new to me and starting to feel like I need to off load somewhere with some questions.
As an update Mum has done very well, she has finished her first round, blood numbers came back up very well. She was let out of hospital on day 23 as her numbers jumped up from Day 20 which was all ahead of schedule.
She was meant to be out of hospital for 10 days but it ended up being about 19 days, which concerned me, but we kept her in a bubble, and continued with the water, and lots of walking.
Numbers ended up being Haemoglobin 113, platelets 275 and Neutrophils 3.63.
They say the new Bone Marrow Biopsy shows she is in remission and they were able to get heaps of "liquid" this time.
So Round two has begun and 5 days later finished again, the hospital doesn't have the beds so have basically sent her to the care facility (they are from the country so unable to go home) for her to wait out the blood counts dropping again. When she is neutropenic they will readmit her.
As an update Mum has done very well, she has finished her first round, blood numbers came back up very well. She was let out of hospital on day 23 as her numbers jumped up from Day 20 which was all ahead of schedule.
She was meant to be out of hospital for 10 days but it ended up being about 19 days, which concerned me, but we kept her in a bubble, and continued with the water, and lots of walking.
Numbers ended up being Haemoglobin 113, platelets 275 and Neutrophils 3.63.
They say the new Bone Marrow Biopsy shows she is in remission and they were able to get heaps of "liquid" this time.
So Round two has begun and 5 days later finished again, the hospital doesn't have the beds so have basically sent her to the care facility (they are from the country so unable to go home) for her to wait out the blood counts dropping again. When she is neutropenic they will readmit her.
My husband calls me a silver fox. :-) Oh well, he tries.
lily
My hair was salt-n-pepper before I got sick and it is the same now (grown back, but not much on my legs anymore. I know what you mean Julia about the stares. Once, when my hair was just growing back, I was in Starbucks with my wife and a woman was staring at me. I doubt she was taken with my great looks, but rather was staring at my CANCER. It's just an emblem and means nothing when you get well again.
Cliff
Myra
So as an update, Mum had her 5 days chemo, then due to shortage of beds was sent out (not home as she lives country so is staying at a lodge on the hospital grounds) ... basically ever second day had to go back to have bloods taken and would be admitted either if she got an infection or the neutrophils were at zero.
Well that lasted 6 days, on day 3 she fainted a couple of times, one at the lodge, the other in the outpatients area (she had warned them).... I wasn't worried for once as she has fainted in her life previously so it wasn't like a new thing. They did all tests just not sure what it was, we all just think she did too much.
Saturday back for blood tests, and then after receiving the blood her temp was 37.8 (as it normally was high in the afternoon) so they just admitted her rather than send her home and have her back in two hours.
So her bloods are at their lowest at the moment, however it appears (and we are on day 16 for reference) that the neutrophils jumped from zero to 1.2 ????
Now we were told that the blood figures for the second round would be slower, and the first time the neutrophils took 3 days to get over 1. ????
Now mum has not done anything by the book (which is great) but is this a good sign or something to be concerned about.... I don't know what the rest of the figures look like as yet
thanks in advance for all your help so far (and for a long story)
Since I live in Central America, the weather is never cold and I protected my head only after showers and at night. I was totally isolated at home, no friends allowed, only husband, one son and a person taking care of me. Dad just came once or twice, and my other son spent most of my chemo living with him since he was catching colds very often. So, I didnt care too much. I had a wig from a friend but it was too hot to wear it.
So.... once my hair starter growing back....I didnt use anything. I understand people feel different in similar situations. To me, going with my head naked and my very, ver, very short hair, was a symbol of triumph. A way to say: Its possible to beat the beast.
My hardest part with hair was that is started growing curly ! It was not me ! so, I started cutting it and it stayed very, very short around 7 month after ending chemo. Now it is straight again and with my usual color.
If wearing a wig is not an option, there are lots of videos in youtube and you can find onco shops too, on line, where you find nice tricks. To get a nice look of a scarf, you can wear something under it, to give some volume. Depending on your moms age, she can focus on earings, make up, to make her look appealing. I wore bit earings and tried to emphazise my eyes or mouth, which are my best assets.
Hope it might help, and hope the best for you and your mom.
S
lily