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.
Firstly thank you everyone for your help in 2013, 2014 will be 100 times better as there are only positive thoughts not negative coming from this little duck. I don't prey but I can only give positive to you all.
Soooooo whats been happening, Mum had her three rounds of chemo, each time in remission, no infections, surprising the doctors, but this was the only outcome we ever imagined so it wasn't a surprise to us. She had got her strength back, but remained eating well, and drinking her water, and exercising ... basically back to normal ... apart from Shingles which was a painful experience.
She had been speaking to the BMT doctor and it was going to be completed with an unrelated donor 12/12 match end of January. She is in remission, it was going to be her choice to do the BMT.
So if you are still reading my long winded post you are im guessing waiting for the but..... yep there is one, one which at the time I shamefully said "is that all" and after AML last year it honestly felt like it.... The weekend before Christmas the doctors advised mum has Breast Cancer.
Now its only a T2 therefore is was caught very early as mum has regular checkup's.... it also could not be felt by a doctor, so only the scan would have picked it up.
So where does that leave us, obviously the BMT has been delayed to the end of February. Yesterday under the advise of the BMT doctor the surgeon completed a mastectomy of her left breast only. Originally the BCancer surgeon wanted to cut the lump out and then complete the radiation / chemo if required, but the BMT doctor said that could take up to 6 months, and we don't want to be immune supressed or unsure what the bone marrow would do. Therefore they just went straight for the mastectomy, which will have no radiation or chemo, just recovery from the operation.
I have not been worried as I did originally with the AML diagnose. I also know that BC is not something to just push aside and not be respectful about and I never would disrespect the BC community.
Everything went well with the operation, mum is in hospital recovering most likely until tomorrow. She said its a little sore, but she is surprising well (must have been all that walking and water drinking she has been strictly doing)
thanks for listening again :)
Hope to have lots of positive stories this year :)
Soooooo whats been happening, Mum had her three rounds of chemo, each time in remission, no infections, surprising the doctors, but this was the only outcome we ever imagined so it wasn't a surprise to us. She had got her strength back, but remained eating well, and drinking her water, and exercising ... basically back to normal ... apart from Shingles which was a painful experience.
She had been speaking to the BMT doctor and it was going to be completed with an unrelated donor 12/12 match end of January. She is in remission, it was going to be her choice to do the BMT.
So if you are still reading my long winded post you are im guessing waiting for the but..... yep there is one, one which at the time I shamefully said "is that all" and after AML last year it honestly felt like it.... The weekend before Christmas the doctors advised mum has Breast Cancer.
Now its only a T2 therefore is was caught very early as mum has regular checkup's.... it also could not be felt by a doctor, so only the scan would have picked it up.
So where does that leave us, obviously the BMT has been delayed to the end of February. Yesterday under the advise of the BMT doctor the surgeon completed a mastectomy of her left breast only. Originally the BCancer surgeon wanted to cut the lump out and then complete the radiation / chemo if required, but the BMT doctor said that could take up to 6 months, and we don't want to be immune supressed or unsure what the bone marrow would do. Therefore they just went straight for the mastectomy, which will have no radiation or chemo, just recovery from the operation.
I have not been worried as I did originally with the AML diagnose. I also know that BC is not something to just push aside and not be respectful about and I never would disrespect the BC community.
Everything went well with the operation, mum is in hospital recovering most likely until tomorrow. She said its a little sore, but she is surprising well (must have been all that walking and water drinking she has been strictly doing)
thanks for listening again :)
Hope to have lots of positive stories this year :)
I am so sorry for this additional diagnosis. I am glad it was caught early and that treatment has commenced. I must say, I have personally been quite more diligent in my breast exam checks since this all started. I had problems and biopsies in the past, so I just want to stay on top of things. This is a good reminder. It is also very good to see your positive thinking shining through despite it all.
Thank and please let us know how things progress.
Peace, love and hope,
Andrea
Wishing you and your mom the very best - it sounds as if you have a wonderfully determined outlook - no doubt this is a great source of strength for your mom!
Robin
You and your mum are an inspiration to me. I am two months overdue for my mamo because I still have not ventured out in the flu infected public but your post has reminded me to make an appointment. Wishing your mum all the best
Julie
Robin - I know exactly how you feel, in all normal circumstances I would have felt a little upset with the BC result, but after all the AML last year it was like someone was saying it in passing.
One thing we did have a laugh about was when mum first had AML I did research through you guys and girls and gave her a list of things to help her out.... one was to make sure she did deep breathing exercises a couple of times a day.
The surgeon for the BC makes sure that ever person after the operation is given a "sucking ball game" which she has too each hour suck or breath in and get three balls to the top of the tubing ... He said its to help with the lungs and keep then nice and strong.... She laughed and did it easy and said to me "good thing I actually do what I am told from you during AML"
She is doing well, back in to surgery today to remove the glands and then hopefully home for the weekend :)
Has been told she will have to have dad hang out the washing for quite a while.... she said happy to let him do it, just not go out and see what sort of state the hanging is in :)
Glad I have sent a little reminder to everyone to go and have there check ups :)
love to all
xx