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Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) - Treatment of 75 year old is working!
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: 3 days ago | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
Hello Lori. Mom ended up in the hospital with pneumonia (she also received 2 units of blood while there). She missed the appointment with with the new doctor, now there’s no availability until November for a new appointment. We finally spoke with her original doc. Communication is still terrible with the office there. It’s taken two weeks to get treatment started. She’s had her first two doses of venetoclax and will start azactinine shots on Monday. I’m hoping she will tolerate the medicines enough to finish. I will post an update after she begins the azactinine. Thanks so much for checking on her!!
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Oh gosh, your poor mum! I’m sorry to hear she developed pneumonia. It’s really diffcult to stay healthy when her immune system is seriously compromised. The 2 units of blood will help give her some energy but won’t do anything to replace healthy white blood cells. So she’ll really need to continue avoiding catching colds, flu, covid. Masking will be vital for her when she’s out in a group of people or close contact with friends, relatives, etc.
The positive news is that she’s started with the venetoclax and will be getting the azactinine soon. To do nothing would allow for the AML to progress rapidly. The immature white blood cells would continue to proliferate, crowding out the red cells. She’s already had 2 units of red blood which would become more frequent without the intervention of the meds. So I truly wish her well with her new treatment plan. It’s much less aggressive than having the intensive chemo, which is standard for AML.
I know this is scary for both of you. But these treatments can work as we’ve seen with the news from @ccleschats who started this discussion. Her 75 year old husband had AML and was treated with the same meds as your mom.
Keep in touch and give your mom a hug from me! ☺️