Hi,

I'm feeling very in the dark with what is happening with my Dad and can't get any answers from his care team as a doctor isn't ever available to speak to given everyone is so busy, and understandably there's only so much information that the nurses are able to give.

So here's the story so far. My Dad, just 82, diagnosed with AML in September, started on Azacitidine and Venetoclax a month ago. Very healthy for his age besides the AML. He was in hospital for the first 11 days to start his chemo off. All was going well at the start sitting up and eating well. He was then discharged to come home and after a week at home was back in hospital struggling to breathe. He must have had an infection as was given antibiotics and transfusions and then moved to Haematology for the past two weeks. He seemed to be getting a little better after a few days but then last week needed a gastroscopy (which we hear hasn't shown up any significant problems) but for the last 6 days he's become more poorly. He was due to start cycle 2 of chemo 3 days ago on Monday but that's been delayed as he's not well enough. He had a bone marrow biopsy so the results of that, which we should get soon will inform the next steps. In the last six days, he's been unable to eat, and seems very confused at times. 

I guess my questions are does this all fall under the umbrella of a possible 'normal' response to the chemo? Or is this the AML fighting harder than the chemo is? I appreciate this is probably an unknown and only the bone marrow biopsy can shed some light. Can patients come back from being this poorly? Does the confusion reduce? If the Azaciidine and Venetoclax needs to be changed are there other possible treatments for someone his age?

This is probably all very difficult to offer us much but if you're able to add anything that help to demystify what's happening, that will help me to understand more I'm sure.

With huge thanks,

Tilly