How long from diagnosis of AML typically comes the BMT?

Lori, I received a phone call yesterday - off to the Mayo on Saturday for a dose of whole blood and platelets. Were your platelets and whole blood out of wack? do you remember?? Oh, I sent an e-mail out to my family today to let them know there will be a bone marrow transplant in the future like July. It is tentative right now until the donor responds. I hope it is soon so we can make plans!

Hi Susan, yep, I still remember the entire odyssey like it was yesterday. My blood numbers were all out of whack before and after my chemo for AML. Transfusions and platelets kept me going between cycles. It’s the nature of the beast. Felt like a vampire needing a fix. 😉 I hope your donor is a go! A gift of life.

I wish the like button was a love button! I truly find it tough to keep going back to get infused with platelets and blood but boy do I feel better afterwards. Right now I have bruises all over my body and I don't know how they got there! crazy stuff. yep crazy stuff

Susan, as your blood numbers drop off from the AML and the chemo, your body will start reflecting the deficit. The decrease in red blood cells will leave you fatigued and breathless. The drop in platelets can have you finding bruises and dots all over in unexpected places. I used to make jokes about having to give up knife juggling for a while. But even little things like blowing my nose because a problem. I had a nosebleed out of the blue one day, thankfully while in the hospital for AML, that would not stop bleeding. The nurses had to pack my nose with gauze. Ironically, I was already hooked to the platelet IV. 😅

Those infusions of red blood are like breathing air into your body. Instant energy! So don’t fret too much about needing these infusions. They go with the territory. There are no awards given for having low blood numbers. Doesn’t mean you’re weak or failing. It just is what it is, collateral damage from the cancer and its treatments. However, hope is on the horizon. Generally once you have the transplant, all of that stops being necessary as your new cells will start taking over the housekeeping duties and will churn out new blood cells within a couple weeks.
If it helps, as I’ve mentioned before to other members going through a SCT, I thought of my new infusion of cells as minions! Did you see the movie, Despicable Me? It’s cute. Anyway I thought of the cells as the little yellow minions doing my bidding. Once I had the actual infusion of cells, Then later I began to think of them more as Imperial Storm Troopers from Star wars. LOL I even hummed Darth Vader’s theme song when I thought of the white blood cells circulating looking for trouble! 😉

So yes, m’dear this is all crazy. That’s why I call it an odyssey. It helps to have a sense of adventure, a sense of humor and to be flexible! You’ve got this!! 💕

Peggyjean I am so sorry you have digestive problems now. I am glad you were able to go back to work, I am excited to get this over with soon! its the not knowing that scares me.

God, Mayo Clinic, Prayers, Family & Friends got me through my stem cell transplant….. It has been 17 years & I’m still in remission….. Retired now, but enjoying life….Prayers For Success & Peace…..🙏❤️✝️🎊

Congratulations, Peggy Jean, on the 17th anniversary of your stem cell transplant! Stories like yours are such an inspiration for anyone who is about to have a stem cell transplant and worried about a future. Thank you for always being such a positive member here in Connect. Any plans to CELLebrate? 😉

You are fortunate if you have a donor who is a match.

I don't know how long it usually takes to get from diagnosis to a BMT. In my case it was six months, but there were many obstacles.

Actually I Celebrate Everyday With Prayers Of Thanksgiving! It’s easy to remember the actual date of my transplant because it’s my oldest Daughter’s Birthday! March 19th.🥰

Okay ladies now Know how long!! I was contacted yesterday and my BMT is scheduled for 7/11/2024.... Prayers to get me through... and keeping you all in my prayers..