@jamielynn777. Sigh…well, this certainly isn’t the news you wanted to hear. I’m so sorry you’ve had a relapse after all the treatments you’ve gone through. AML, with that pesky FLT3 mutation can be such a challenge. It’s one of the mutations where a few cells can elude chemo; Basically going ‘dormant’ and hiding out for months, only to resurface later. It becomes problematic because that mutation can also circumvent the immune system’s ablity to spot the cancer cells and snuff them out. That’s where the bone marrow transplant becomes so important. By replacing your defective immune system with that of a donor, the goal would be that the new immune system would again recognize the cancer cells. It’s usually prudent for a transplant to be done with the first remission.

But the good news is the relapse was discovered early so treatment can begin right away. This time, there is no hesitation to go ahead with the transplant when you reach remission! It remains the only potential cure for AML at this time so it is definitely worth pursuing. While nothing is 100%, bone marrow transplantation has been really showing promise to those of us with the FLT3 mutation. I’m just coming up on my 6th year cancer free after the same diagnosis.
Life for most of us returns to ‘near’ normal post-transplantation after about a year of recovery. The first couple months are the most challenging. But after that it’s an incremental period of gaining strength, stamina and resuming normal life styles. It just takes time! But you’ve already been through similar with the rounds of chemo so this will be more of the same for a little while longer period.

I know this is disappointing because you’ve had several glorious months of feeling free and normal again. With the transplant, the hopes are that it ensure that feeling for a lifetime ahead. So hang in there, Jamielynn! Please keep in touch. I’m here for you anytime you have questions or just need someone to talk to.

Wishing you speedy recovery from covid. Were you given infusions to help with recovery from Covid? When do you begin your treatments for AML?

Hi Jamie Lynn. I wanted to follow up with you to see what’s happening with the AML relapse. It’s disappointing to need chemo again and I hope your return to remission is speedy so you can go ahead with the BMT.
FLT3 can be a challenging mutaiton. There is a medication which I took between cycles called Midostaurin which targets the FLT3 mutation. Are those the pills you’re taking?
How are you feeling after your first round of chemo?