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Things just got worse. Diagnosis is now acute leukemia (AML)
8 months ago I was diagnosed with low risk MDS. I had a bone marrow biopsy last week and my Doctor just call on the phone and said my MDS has progressed to acute leukemia. She wants to immediately get me started on a (I think she said)) low dose of some chemo and some pills for a week. She said the name of the pills but I was in shock and I don't remember the name. Maybe another week of chemo if necessary. She said hopefully it will put it into remission.
Does this sound familiar to anyone? We talked for at least 30 mins and she said a lot. Can anyone fill in the blanks not that I've come back to my senses? Thanks to all.
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@twitt1949 Hi Terry. Only your doctor can interpret these biopsy results for you. But a quick glance at the notes shows that you’ve not yet achieved remission. (Which isn’t surprising this early).
There’s been no increase in blasts! Which is great!
You have a very low blast count of 1-2%…way down from what I remember it being last month. So that’s encouraging. ☺️
Blood numbers are still a bit low after chemo. Which is why your doctor is waiting another week before starting the next round until numbers rebound a little more.
However, comparing today’s numbers with results from the previous labs a couple days ago, your neutrophils (infection fighting white blood cells), hemoglobin and platelets have all increased! ☺️ All encouraging news, Terry!
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6 ReactionsHi @twitt1949, please note that I removed the reports that included your personal identifying information. As per the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/), it is recommended to not include information such as phone numbers, email and mailing addresses, date of birth, patient numbers (MRN), etc.
@loribmt is right. Only a medical professional can interpret the results, along with your medical history. Waiting is hard, but your doctor is looking out for you. 🙂
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4 ReactionsHi Again....I just had another blood test today (fri). Just to remind everyone I'm a 77 yr old male with leukemia.
Previous test was 4 days ago, and everything is up, some better than others but they are headed in the right direction. I have an appointment Monday (3 days from now) with the big daddy doctor who has been guiding me through all this stuff. Don't know if he will advise another round of chemo or not. As uneducated as I am blood counts, even the little gains in my blood counts I'm super happy.
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4 Reactionscontinuing my blood counts from Sept 28th to Oct 1.....
WBC up from .9 to 1
RBC up from 2.54 to 2.67
HEMOGLOBIN up from 7.9 to 8.4
PLATELET COUNT up from 44 to 100
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7 ReactionsThat is great news..any improvement needs to be celebrated...i am 76 with aml in remission....hoping they fine a cure for us and all who suffer with cancer..prays for everyone
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4 Reactions@bettersleep68
How long have you been in remission? Are you taking any maintance pills or?
I go back and see my main doctor tomorrow and see if he puts me on chemo shots again for 7 days or just chemo pills. I don't mind as I don't have any after affects or side affects or anything like that, but its about a 45 min drive to get them (each way). But if they can control it its well worth it. Yes, I hope they continue finding a cure for us.
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3 ReactionsBeen in remission one year in Augustm..i take venetoclax 100mg daily and vidaza shots 4 times a month...i hate those shots..makes my stomach so sore and tender.i am having a bone marrow next week and will talk to doctor to put me on oral pills not the shots.i am grateful that this medicine got me into remission but so tired of the pain with the shots..i will let you know what they tell me.just stay positive and keep hoping they get a cure for us
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1 ReactionI seen my main doctor today and had another blood draw. He said no chemo this week but probably will next week along with a pill per day. He said probably a marrow biopsy in a month or so.
blood counts as of today. The shots don't bother me too much. A little tender but thats all.
White blood a week ago .9 Today 1.4
Red blood a week ago 2.54 Today 2.79
Hemoglobin a week ago 7.0 Today 8.9
Platelet a week ago 44 Today 148
platelet is in the normal range but low. All are coming up but slow which is normal. Are you blood counts in the normal range? Chemo next week it will knock it down again. Take care I will be following your outcome.
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5 Reactions@twitt1949
I had another blood draw today. I think I will start my 2rd chemo secession Monday. Here are my blood counts.
white blood cells was 1.4 now 1.9
red blood cells was 2.79 now 2.91
Hemoglobin was 8.9 now 9.6
Platelet was 148 now 178
all still low but platelet is almost normal.
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2 Reactions@twitt1949 Hey Terry, your numbers are all going in the right direction! That’s great news. Shows your bone marrow is working to keep you healthy by churning out new blood cells. There’s a little setback with blood cell production after a chemo round. It can take a while for everything to rebound and the numbers to catch up to normal or near normal levels.
At least in my experience, after subsequent rounds of chemo, each time took a smidgey longer to replenish. So hang in there! ☺️
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