Hi Sally, I’m in the process of writing a much longer response to you but wanted you to know I’m here, along with so many others of us who have had AML or another cancer that requires a bone marrow transplant. Together, we’ll help you through the entire process from pre - post!

I know you’re tired and worn down. That AML odyssey isn’t for sissies, is it! ☺️ The bone marrow transplant will help assure you that AML won’t rear its ugly head again.

Will you be at Mayo Rochester?

Hi Sally! It’s ok to be a little freaked out. You’ve already been through quite an odyssey with all the treatments for AML. I’m so happy for you that you’re in remission. But as you’ve most likely been told, AML can be a little trickster. With some of the mutations, the cancer cells can go dormant or into hiding during chemo allowing them to evade the treatment. They basically circumnavigate your immune system and the chemo. Over time, the leukemic cells can re-emerge and become even more difficult to treat.

Bone marrow transplant to the rescue! The goal is, with the infusion of the new immune, stem cells from a donor, it will again recognize cancer cells and snuff them out! A BMT gives you a second chance at life.

I’m guessing you recently just finished your last consolidation treatment. I’m not sure if you’ll have one more chemo session or not to keep you in remission before the transplant. I required one more month, just to make sure. If not, then you won’t have anymore chemo until the week right before Day Zero, which is transplant day.

Honestly, having gone through the AML chemo, you won’t be a stranger to the symptoms of the first week after the transplant. The familiar fatigue sets in, maybe some nausea and that low nadir period. But once the new cells engraft, things turn around fairly quickly. The recovery time is slower though. Your bmt team will do their utmost to keep you comfortable through all of it!

Since you’re having your transplant at Mayo, I can tell you first hand that you are in the best possible care! Seriously. The staff spoil us, even five and a half years later. I was able to call the BMT floor last week for guidance with a medical issue I was having…not directly related to transplant. I was assured that we are married for life as patients there and we are!

The fear of the unknown is the worst. So that’s why I’m here to help guide you through this along with so many others in the growing posse of BMT members. I’m here anytime to answer questions or concerns you might have. If you need information on lodging, or what to pack for extended stay at Rochester I can help with that too.
Oh I should ask, are you in Rochester?

There are a ton of stories here, My Bone Marrow Transplant story, will you share yours?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
We’re all very open and honest here. We each have had our own journey and no two are alike. My suggestion is to not look online for information because some of it is just downright frightening! Having gone through the process, most of what I read didn’t happen. I learned to trust my BMT completely and let them do the worrying for me. Once you enter the process I think you’ll find you just go with the flow. You’ll be guided every step of the way.

What can I do to help you, Sally?