Newly diagnosed with AML (FTL3 TKD)

Tuesday my husband of 74 had a bone marrow biopsy, Wednesday morning the hematologist called and said he had Acute Leukemia, Thursday we were called to meet with hematologist at cancer clinic. (We are in Canada by the way so not a Mayo Clinic patient.) They are looking to start a 7 day injection (we go to clinic and then home), 3 weeks off plus a targeted additional drug. The hematologist yesterday they did not yet know all the other more specific indicators. The diagnosis was sudden. My husband is very active, in good health, walks every day. Now he has been told that if we do nothing he will live maybe 8 weeks. How do you make sense of it all? How do you even comprehend the complexity of what the cancer is? My husband's mother is 96 and still going strong, he believed he would be the same. Is their any hope? All the doctor would say is that if everything went wonderfully, transplant would be considered but his attitude was this was probably unlikely considering Rick's age. I desperately need some way to start making sense of things if I am to help Rick. We have been married for 47 years. How have you faced all of this?

Hi Maverick, Welcome to Connect. Here’s the beauty of this amazing forum. There are many of us who have had AML and we’re all here to offer hope and encouragment, especially to those recently diagnosed or going through treatment. We know what it’s like hear those words…you have leukemia.

There are members like myself, who have qualified for a bone marrow transplant. Several others have been able to stay in remission with the help of medications. There have been positive breakthroughs in treatment options for older patients, or people who aren’t able to tolerate aggressive treatments or the rigors of a transplant.

Your husband’s story is much like mine. I was perfectly healthy and active within 3 weeks of my diagnosis. In fact the week before my first symptoms appeared, I was snowshoeing in deep snow in the forest and never missed a beat. Four weeks later, I was told I had less than 24 hours to live. I had seen my doctor 3 weeks in a row, telling her I’d never felt this sick in my life. She hadn’t taken blood work until the 3rd appt. That was day I was diagnosed and admitted to the hosptial for 5 weeks. I was 65 at the time. I’m now 71 and back to enjoying my 2nd chance at life. I still walk at least 7 miles daily, exercise, travel, etc…life is pretty normal!

I know you’re trying to make sense of this all. It’s challenging to say the least. Some blood cancers can develop slowly, or in the case of AML, it can come on like a speeding locomotive. There is no rhyme or reason and there will be no way to determine when or how it started. The only option now is to move forward with treatment. While there is no cure for AML except the transplant, treatments can be quite successful.

As far as having a transplant, I’ve personally mentored patients who have been 75+ years and now in their 80s and doing really well. While there is no specific cut off for age, there are other criteria such as co-morbidities, emotional and psychological considerations, ablity to tolerate meds, that type of thing. So that is a discussion to have with a transplant doctor if and when the time comes. You husband may do well with his current treatment. Some types of AML don’t require a transplant.

There’s a “feels-good” discussion I think you and your husband will find uplifting. It’s between members who are similar ages as your husband, have AML and unable to have a transplant. Let me introduce you to @lindagi @dancouclanel4 and @sonieaml
I’m expecting by the description of the treatment plan that your husband will be taking Venetoclax and Vidaza or similar, the same as these members.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/aml-successful-treatment/
When does your husband start his treatments?