acute leukemia and exercise

I know you’re a mover and a shaker…and sitting still isn’t in your normal daily life. Exercise while being treated for AML is helpful but only do as much as your body allows. Don’t over do. Your body is working hard, along with the chemo to help rid your body of cancer cells.
It takes energy to do that. So if you’re exercising to the point of not feeling well, that tells me you are overdoing. Some modifications will be needed during the next few months.

What will be effecting your blood counts right now is the chemotherapy you’re receiving. Don’t worry about the numbers dropping. It is normal during treatment. They will drop very low mid cycle and you won’t feel like doing much of anything for a week or so until blood cells get the chance to rebuild during the break in chemo.

For now, focus on rest, light exercise and nutrition!
It’s important to drink plenty of water during the day. Aim for at least 60 ounces during the day of room temp water.
Eat as healthy as possible with good proteins, fruits, veggies. But avoid greasy fried foods, avoid hot/spicy foods.
Eat Greek plain, fat free yogurt at least once a day to help your gut. You can put a little jam, honey or fruits in to make it palatable.

It would be really helpful to keep all of your AML conversations in one place instead of posting a new discussion every time. For continuity let’s try posting your AML journey here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/things-just-got-worse-acute-leukemia/

By keeping conversations in one place you won’t have to look all over for the really helpful answers you’ve been receiving from other members, along with myself. How does that sound to you? ☺️

Thanks Lori. I have not had any Chemo yet. Waiting for a start date. Since I want to go on vacation in about 2 weeks and my doctor says my blood counts have stabilized or stayed about the same, she says if my counts are about the same in 2 weeks I can take my vacation. It appears Chemo after that.

I have lots of things I want to do in the next 2 weeks what require moderate exercise for a little while at a time. If I start feeling bad I will/can stop and rest. If the exercise will lower my blood counts and prevent me from vacationing, I will take it easy. I'm just wondering if exercise can lower blood counts.

Your right, I forgot you told me that a while back. Is there any way to put this in my original post?

Good morning, @twitt1949 Moderate exertion when getting ready for your trip shouldn't lower your blood numbers. But it may fatigue you. So just take your time in getting ready for the family vacation. Pace yourself, rest often, take cat naps, get a good night's sleep and make time for nutritious meals. 😉

Maybe re-evaluate your pre-trip to-do list. Remember, less is more...so if there are things that can be omitted, pare down the list. I've had to do that in my own life.
I know you've had your heart set on this for some time so I'm crossing my fingers, eyes, ankles...LOL. Whatever it takes to get you on vacation! Hugs!

@loribmt
Are you a real person or are you AI mentor

Hi @sheridan2026 You’re wondering if I am a real person or an AI mentor. Let me ask Alexa…
Alexa said, “If you were AI you’d have better answers, correct grammar usage and no typos.”

I can assure you my intelligence, though seriously limited is not artificial. ☺️
Mentors in forum are all real live people who have personal experiences in our respective support groups.
We are also involved in the conversations and try to help guide others through their health journeys by bringing them together with members with similar stories.

By the way, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. What brought you here today?

And I just have to ask…what made you think I was AI generated?

@sheridan2026, I can assure that the moderators and volunteer mentors are real people on Mayo Clinic Connect. Connect is about human connection. Meet the volunteer mentors and learn more about them here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/volunteer-mentors/

@loribmt is a tireless mentor who devotes hours of volunteer hours to ensure that people coming to Connect find answers and can connect with someone who has been there. Here are a couple of stories to give you more background:
- I’ll take an order of Hope with a side of Mayo, please! - Meet @loribmt https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/ill-take-an-order-of-hope-with-a-side-of-mayo-please/
- Mayo Clinic Connect brings together 2 women with leukemia, 46 years apart https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/mayo-clinic-connect-brings-together-2-women-with-leukemia-46-years-apart

@sheridan2026, I see that you have just recently joined Mayo Clinic Connect. I hope you'll poke around a bit more and see the clear evidence that we are real people creating real connections. 🙂

I am not happy with my doctor delaying treatments , he refuses to give me platelets infusions or Neupogen injections.Neupogen should be given daily to keep neutrophil at least 1.50 ,saying it has to be 0.5 or less before he will give an injection waiting for counts to raise on their own, not happening.
Started my last cycle at platelets 23 I asked for platelets infusion before cycle to boast because I knew at 23 platelets the treatment would take a toll on me,23 after a 2 week delay. I knew they would drop drastically they did 4 yes 4.
Lot of friction between us , Asked to change doctors to day Wednesday to another doctor taking patients for AML Leukemia refused saying they don't allow switching doctors .what do you do when you don't trust your doctor. He is going to delay my cycle waiting for my counts to raise on their own, supposed to start my cycle tomorrow 13, he said he will discuss it with me next week it is like broken record. Ask for rescue drugs to avoid delays and he refuses. He said on Jan 9 2026 he could not do any more for me wanted to put me in hospice.I asked him to continue treatment when he told me I was in partial remission wanted me to go to nursing home I went out of state came home healthy in remission. Doctor and nurse here were amazed how well I looked I was sent home with my counts at a normal level out of state doctor did not want me to travel otherwise.
Doctor out of state arranged a targeted treatment I take my pills at home . My doctor now just has to follow protocol , follow up on blood work and give Placates infusions or Neupogen injection and he won't
I am so depressed thinking déjà vu all over again

@sheridan2026 Wow what an amazing story. So glad to hear you went out of state. I will be starting my chemo in a couple weeks hoping for remission.

eventually you have to return home to continue treatment, Wednesday I asked to change Doctors I was shocked to find out that is not possible .
I don't want to go to an oncologist who doesn't specialize in Acute Leukemia
My doctor is not following protocol ,no advocate to intervene
Consistent friction with Doctor
The rescue drug (he says it is not) Neutogen is the easiest part of cancer treatment should be given as needed to
keep Neutrophil at a healthy level to prevent serious infection, mine have dropped 0.2. I remember reading 30 years ago in the Wall Street Journal now owned by Murdock that cancer patient were been denied rescue drugs because they were expensive. Neupogen was one of them.I have very good insurance so it should not be an issue. health care is broken in U.S. when you have to travel to get excellent care, How many patients can afford to go out of state rent an airbnb for 4 months rents a car for 4 months You don't realize how lucky you are if you live near a excellent hospital and if they will accept your insurance.and you may be to frail to travel.He says platelets infusion only last 2/3 days artificial boast .
I feel the only way for me to receive chemo on time without reducing dose is if I receive a platelets infusion I believe they last longer more longer 7 around days , I don't care if it is an artificial boast
that is where the conflict is! I wish I could be more optimistic.

Hi @sheridan2026 ,
I am so sorry you are going through all that! I totally relate to your desire to change doctors. I just went through that experience myself. I do not have acute leukemia but do have a suspected MPN. I thought seeing a MPN specialist for a consultation would be a good idea for me to do as prior I have only seen oncologist/hematologist who sent me to a bone marrow transplant specialist who said I definitely do not need a bone marrow transplant now and may never need one. I thought seeing a MPN specialist would be helpful, but I was very wrong! It was obvious the MPN specialist had not read my chart before seeing me. She was giving me mutations, conditions, and symptoms that I do not have and have never had! Honestly, I will not be seeing her again. I called my insurance to let them know what happened and I was told I can be referred elsewhere fortunately. I am not in treatment now and take only low dose aspirin for high platelets. I am very healthy in my opinion with no aches or pains and plan to keep it that way. I do not need a doctor who is not helping me.
I hope you are able to have another specialist review and consult about your treatment to make sure that the doctor you are having issues with is acting prudently. I hope you do not need to go out of state again to find decent care. We, as patients, definitely do not need doctors who are giving us stress and not helping us!
Stay strong and positive!