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Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): What can I expect?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Nov 12, 2023 | Replies (137)Comment receiving replies
Thank you Lori for such a quick response. I am so glad that your transplant was successful! You sure went through a lot! We received the diagnosis last week. Unfortunately, she started having profuse night sweats in November but was told it was due to age; then in April she became very sick. That started a long process of different blood tests, x-rays, MRI’s and CT scans, with no diagnosis. She wasn’t able to be seen by the oncologist until June - then didn’t have the bone marrow biopsy until July 31. I’m hoping we aren’t too progressed in the leukemia for treatment to help. :0 Moms original response was to opt for transfusions for palliative care, as taking the chemo drug scared her. This information may help her decide to give it a try. Thank you!!
Replies to "Thank you Lori for such a quick response. I am so glad that your transplant was..."
for pegsue23: Regarding chemo versus palliative care, why not give the chemo a try and see what the results are? Your mother can always stop it if she wants to. Try not to let pre-conceived notions of what chemo will be like get in the way of trying it. Her doctor can tell her what to expect.
For example, I had Cytarabine, and then high-dose Cytarabine. I was scared that taking 30 times more would result in side effects 30 times worse, but it does not work that way. In addition, there are many good drugs to control side effects like nausea these days.
I don't know her situation, but it might reassure her if she knew that she would have the support she will need with practical matters.
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He @pegsue23 It’s really sad that your mother’s night sweats in November were dismissed as age related and that her diagnosis took so long. Not that it would have changed the diagnosis but it would have allowed her to be treated earlier.
I’d really encourage your mom to at least try the treatments. The Enasidenib has such positive outcomes for AML patients with the mutation your mom has. It could buy her precious time with her family.
I know just the word Chemotherapy can fill a person with dread. From my understanding, your mom isn’t being given the standard 7+3 induction chemo where she’d be in the hospital for 5 weeks or so. That’s a rough regimen. From what you mentioned, she’d only be receiving the Enasidenib. That’s a small, 50mg tablet taken once or twice daily with or without food. From my experience with the similar drug I had to take, I felt better with a light base of food in my tummy.
Just so that you’re aware of what’s ahead…if your mom opts not to take any treatment, then palliative care is next. But it would be only a short time as she’d be needing hospice care rather quickly. As AML progresses in later stages, it gains speed. What’s left of any red/white blood cells and platelets will be crowded out by the rapidly proliferating blast cells (immature and ineffective white blood cells). As that happens, she’ll be needing more blood and platelet transfusions, becoming increasingly fatigued.
I think you mentioned your mom is already in a neutropenic stage and without intervention that doesn’t reverse at this point. The Enasidenib could possible slow or stop the progression of the cancerous cells so that her marrow can start rebuilding with healthy blood cells again.
Truly, I know what an emotional time this is. So I hope you, your mom and family can have some meaningful and heartfelt conversations. This is a personal decision on her part but at 84, she could have some quality time left.
Please let me know what your mom decides and if I can help in any way. Hugs