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.
Sal was admitted to the hospital Thursday evening (1/2/14) and started chemo Saturday morning. The doctors planned to start chemo Monday 1/6/14, but his first CBC showed Sal had already become neutropenic (healthy white cells no longer being produced). But still NO circulating blasts. Relapse caught early.
No clinical trial. Sal was told that he did not qualify for the clinical trial I mentioned in my previous thread because he relapsed more than 6 months after initial diagnosis. (It was 7 months.)
Treatment plan: FLAG-IDA (a standard relapse protocol)
Idarubicine days 1-3
Fludarabine days 1-5
Cytarabine high dose days 1-5
Because Sal was neutropenic, they started Neupogen last Friday and are actually continuing it through treatment to give him a head start on neutrophil recovery.
Sal is also receiving Allopurinol to reduce levels of uric acid and prevent kidney damage that can sometime happen when large numbers of cancer cells are killed in a short amount of time.
BMB 7 days after treatment; another BMB day 30.
Here's some news I found encouraging: Sal's BMB now shows NORMAL cytogenics! NO MORE TRISOMY 8!!! No FLT3 et al. YAY!!
Sal is feeling quite well right now. We so appreciate the support of you all.
Monique
No clinical trial. Sal was told that he did not qualify for the clinical trial I mentioned in my previous thread because he relapsed more than 6 months after initial diagnosis. (It was 7 months.)
Treatment plan: FLAG-IDA (a standard relapse protocol)
Idarubicine days 1-3
Fludarabine days 1-5
Cytarabine high dose days 1-5
Because Sal was neutropenic, they started Neupogen last Friday and are actually continuing it through treatment to give him a head start on neutrophil recovery.
Sal is also receiving Allopurinol to reduce levels of uric acid and prevent kidney damage that can sometime happen when large numbers of cancer cells are killed in a short amount of time.
BMB 7 days after treatment; another BMB day 30.
Here's some news I found encouraging: Sal's BMB now shows NORMAL cytogenics! NO MORE TRISOMY 8!!! No FLT3 et al. YAY!!
Sal is feeling quite well right now. We so appreciate the support of you all.
Monique
Thank you for the update. My head is spinning lately. My godfather's name is sal and I think of my uncle all the time. I also have a special pearl of Rosary beads and I think of your Sal every time I reach for them.
I too was on support for my kidneys. It seems that some of these meds will cause some hematuria as well. One of my biggest issues is always secondary effects, so I pay attention to very small details and changes in everything. It is hard to chart everything, but I do find it helps me look back to progress (as slow as it can be).
We can all say we have had some setbacks and I am glad we are all charging forward. We need to stay as determined in 2014. I for one, am seeing more public signs for increasing the awareness of blood cancers. I have just been invited to a gala in a few weeks for the leukemia society to celebrate what we raised and to look towards a future where the trials continue and the goal becomes cure. I have read too often about the young children struggling.
Be brave. Think wellness. One day at a time, one moment at a time.
Peace, love and forever hope,
Andrea
Bravo for Sal's cytogenetics. Sounds great as does his plan of treatment. Just keep him positive, well-nourished and doing as much exercise as possible. Blinders on...eyes on the prize. Sal will get well.
Cliff