@twitt1949 I’m sure there was a lot of information to absorb in your 30 minute conversation with your doctor. A new diagnosis like this can feel pretty overwhelming and a bit lonely. When I was diagnosed with AML, I didn’t know a soul with whom I could talk about it. My nurses and doctors were awesome. But even they admitted they would fall short when it came to speaking from experince. That’s why I’m here, along with so many other members to be able to help each other out and offer that much needed hope!

I’d like to tag a couple of other members who have been diagnosed with AML at a later stage in life. Their stories are inspirational and their chemo experiences will be similar to what you may expect.

Here are some links to conversations with @lindagi who posted this discussion and joined by @sonieaml @dancouclanel4 and others.
AML successful treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aml-successful-treatment/

Since I was critically ill at the time of my diagnosis I was actually an in-patient for 5 weeks with intensive chemo. Many of the drugs used now were not available back then so there was no option other than the intensive chemo. You’re fortunate in that these newer meds have been developed which offer hope to patients 65+. As we age our bodies don’t tolerate the harsh drugs as well so these. New meds are a game changer!

Not knowing which drugs you’ll be getting I can’t really give you a schedule. But generally chemo is given for around 7 days consecutively and then on a cycle of every 28 days. With the two med combo there might be 7 days of infusion or injection and the rest of the cycle with pills. Again, I may be wrong depending on what you’ll be receiving.

Generally the 2nd week after chemo blood numbers do drop as cancer cells are destroyed. Remember our earlier discussion that chemo kills rapidly dividing cells. Chemo doesn’t discrimate and will also destroy other rapidly dividing cells such has blood cells, hair follicles, mucosal tissues in the mouth or gut. Week two and three there is usually a great deal of fatigue with frequent naps. Also since blood numbers drop, your immunity will be much lower, leaving you vulnerable to infection.

So I’m not sure what to say about your family vacation. I don’t think you’re going to feel spritely enough to travel far. And also, because of your being immuncompromised, care must be given to avoid infections…whether bacterial, viral or fungal. No wading in a lake or river, no gardening, raking, etc. and if you are around people it is important to wear a mask.

I’m just a ray of sunshine, right? This doesn’t mean your life stops. It’s a temporary bump in the road. With your blasts at 27% this is not a wait and see thing. Treatment should begin soon. After that, you can kind of play things by ear with how vacation unfolds. Your doctor and infusion nurses will be able to cover this with you on what precautions to take.

Your son is spot on…this is a good thing to get the treatment underway! The sooner this happens the sooner you can get back on track! Treating earlier wouldn’t have changed the outcome. But now it’s time.

You’ll be getting the treatment schedule soon. Then we can all give you more information as needed. ☺️