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Living with MDS (Myelodyplastic Syndromes)
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 20 hours ago | Replies (191)Comment receiving replies
Yes next week dheceill meet with the tumor board on Wednesday. I don’t know if that involves any AML specialists. You are right about the loratadine it is helping a lot and maybe the treatment ail help like you say. Can you live a few more years if the treatment works. This is what my oncologist told me.
Replies to "Yes next week dheceill meet with the tumor board on Wednesday. I don’t know if that..."
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Hi Jacklyn, Basically, at least from my personal experience, a tumor board is a group of doctors from different disciplines, such as physicians, surgeons, hematologists, oncologists, radiation therapists, etc., who meet to present and discuss cancer cases and potential treatment options. (Not saying all of those will be on your tumor board) So I would expect that if they’re discussing your case there will be an AML specialist onboard.
To answer your question, yes indeed, it may be possible to live many more years with AML. Of course, it can depend on the type of AML. From what your doctor said, it sounds as though they feel you would have a favorable response to the treatment.
Newer drugs are available for those of us who are a little older and aren’t able to tolerate aggressive treatments. Some of these weren’t options for me 6 years ago, so there’s been a very positive breakthrough in medications. There are several members in Connect who have AML and in our age group who are benefiting from these meds.
Two discussions that popped to mind are these, with member @lindagi who was diagnosed with AML a few years ago. Here is the beginning of her journey…
~AML, age 78, taking Decetabine/ Venetoclax, no transplant
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aml-age-78-taking-decetabine-venetoclax-no-transplant/
And her positive update!
~AML successful treatment
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aml-successful-treatment/
Waiting for answers is so stressful, I know! You feel like you’re stuck, spinning your wheels and not able to move forward. This is a good time to take a deep breath, then slowly exhale and focus on activities which bring you a sense of calming. Distraction is a wonderful tool to help us process emotions and to work through challenging times…both mentally and physically. I tend to retreat to my desk to paint or sketch. It’s very relaxing and I forget about things that are bothering me for a while. They’re still ruminating in the back of my mind, but for couple minutes or hours, I’m not focusing on a current crises. Does that make sense?