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.
Just wanted to share this in case anyone else is a "rare case" as I keep being told that I am! Quick recap of what my situation is:
Age 34
Aml subtype M4, NPM1 pos, FLT3 neg,
CSF showed leukemia early on after diagnosis
Chemo only went into remission after first induction, had four consolidations and 10 interthecal chemo treatments. Treated with Cytarabine and Idarubacin and interthecal methotrexate.
Met with radiation oncologist yesterday who said I'll be getting two weeks worth of daily radiation at a relatively low dose. My side effects should be minimal and include hair loss (not permanent!), fatigue, nausea(only if he does spinal and cranial) and minor skin irritation. He feels my counts will not drop much during radiation. He will do cranial radiation and possibly spinal as well but he will make this decision after speaking with the entire team that works on my case.
That being said, I should be done with this nonsense by mid May! One more BMB and two weeks of radiation and I'm done. Oh, and I just finished last chemo consolidation so I have to make it through another few weeks of no immune system and get my counts to recover. Whoohoo! All doctors seem optimistic that I won't relapse. I hope they are right .
You all are in my daily prayers. Cancer sucks but it can be beat. Even rare cases like mine.
Age 34
Aml subtype M4, NPM1 pos, FLT3 neg,
CSF showed leukemia early on after diagnosis
Chemo only went into remission after first induction, had four consolidations and 10 interthecal chemo treatments. Treated with Cytarabine and Idarubacin and interthecal methotrexate.
Met with radiation oncologist yesterday who said I'll be getting two weeks worth of daily radiation at a relatively low dose. My side effects should be minimal and include hair loss (not permanent!), fatigue, nausea(only if he does spinal and cranial) and minor skin irritation. He feels my counts will not drop much during radiation. He will do cranial radiation and possibly spinal as well but he will make this decision after speaking with the entire team that works on my case.
That being said, I should be done with this nonsense by mid May! One more BMB and two weeks of radiation and I'm done. Oh, and I just finished last chemo consolidation so I have to make it through another few weeks of no immune system and get my counts to recover. Whoohoo! All doctors seem optimistic that I won't relapse. I hope they are right .
You all are in my daily prayers. Cancer sucks but it can be beat. Even rare cases like mine.
Debbie
Blessings,
Julie
DaveJ
I had radiation, 3 times a day. I can't remember for how many days, but I think 3. It wasn't bad at all.
I am excited that you will soon be whole again.
Cliff
Getting 8 treatments (fractions) at 12 grey (a lower dose)
Cranial only, no spinal
Starting March 30!
This means that in a month I'll be done with all treatment and just waiting on a clear BMB! Maybe PICC line will even be out.
Debbie
Karen