I was diagnosed with AML in 2011. I had a rash, and it was misdiagnosed at the ER twice as other conditions. When my symptoms got worse, and I couldn't breathe lying down, I returned a third time to the ER. By this time, both my hands and my feet were about two to three times their original size. I was immediately admitted to the hospital, as I also had double pneumonia. That night the dr. came in and said that I was being transferred to another hospital because my blood test was not normal and not consistent with just being sick with pneumonia. When I arrived, I was so sick that I barely remember that first week. Something around my heart was swollen is all I can remember them saying. I was put in the cardiac unit within what seemed like a day I was transferred to the cancer unit. I can remember a nurse saying it's the cancer unit but it's also general medical, so it doesn't mean you have cancer.
When I arrived, I remember waking up to a very concerned oncologist and hematologist. but I don't remember what she said. I can remember her talking to me that's all. They called my family and told them I was being tested for AML and would have a bone marrow biopsy, and the results would need to be sent to California for confirmation of what they pretty much already knew was AML. 5 days later the results came back, and I indeed had AML. I was 31 years old.
I started 2 different chemo's at the same time and stayed at the hospital for 31 days. I had several blood transfusions including platelets all through a pick line. I went into remission about the 22nd day in the hospital. I had to wait to leave until my neutrophils reached a certain level. I was so very happy to leave that room. I spent a lot of time in pain as the chemo burned me internally from my mouth to my rectum. I went to my oncologist about 4 times a week for about a month then less and less as time went by. Every month for 4 more months I had to be readmitted for maintenance chemo for 5 days every month. That was a breeze compared to induction. I continued to go to an oncologist for about 5 -8 more years. I had a sinus infection during maintenance chemo where my fever was extremely high 103.6 when I got to the hospital, and it went up before they were able to finally bring it down. I was in ICU for a week. My fever was so high in fact that I was delusional. So, several more trips to the hospital for platelets and blood transfusions.
That was almost exactly 14 years ago. I have been in remission ever since 2011! I haven't been feeling very well the last couple of days, and it could be nothing. but honestly, I quit going to an oncologist because I never want to hear those words your out of remission. So, I am kind of scared to even go to the doctor anymore. Do I regret having taken the treatment? no and I wasn't given much of a choice. It wasn't do you want to it was this is what we are going to do. Which at the time I was so sick I couldn't have made that decision. There have been some long-term effects. Would I do it again? probably not. Thats easy to say now though you never know what the situation will be or the decision, if it is yours, will be. I am thankful though for all the doctors and nurses who made that experience the best it possibly could be! They were excellent! -mmh