@sonieaml. This has really been so interesting to realize how similar our AML journeys began and how using two entirely different treatments plans both met with positive outcomes. Though I was 65 at the time and Venetoclax wasn’t on the market yet. I wonder if my treatment may have been different if it had been available. There were no other options ahead for me besides the BMT. So it’s a revelation, given the similar circumstances, how much value the introduction of Venetoclax brought to the AML treatment table! It offers hope to patients where a BMT might not be a viable option.

Like you, I also presented with pneumonia after 3 weeks of rapidly declining health. I’d been to my PCP three weeks in a row with a horrible, non-productive cough, and she kept saying I was fine. Didn’t bother with blood work even though I had a sustained fever of 102+ for 2 weeks, losing weight and the continually worsening cough.
The 3rd week, my husband literally carried me into my appointment. Doctor still told me I looked great and why was I not in Florida.
I did not look great. I was pale as a ghost…which wasn’t far off the mark. LOL. My husband refused to leave the office until she ordered labs and a chest X-ray. Results came back later that day with a hemoglobin reading of 4.7, chest Xray showed pneumonia, had a neutropenic fever and about 24 hours left on the planet. Rushed to the hospital, had 2 transfusions, copious bags of antibiotics to stabilize.
Took a week to get the BMB genetics results. Then chemo for 7 days of cytarabine + 3 days of idarubicin. I was in the hospital for 5 weeks the first time. Then a week as inpatient every 28 days for 7 days with two consolidations of cytarabine. Between cycles I was taking midostaurin, which was a targeted drug for FLT3. Subsequent BMBs showed I was in an initial remission but it would be tenuous. Diagnosis was February, BMT was in June of 2019.

I think when we’ve been handed this second chance, no matter how we got here, we are so grateful for every single day of life! ☺️ We are indeed blessed.

Again, thank you so much for sharing your story. Knowing the full extent of how well the Dacogen and Venetoclax worked to clear your body of the FLT3 mutation, which is a hard nut to crack, is so inspirational! I wish you continued success with this next step!