Hello and thanks for your post,

I am sorry to hear about your husband. A new diagnosis can produce so much uncertainty. I will try and answer all your questions as best I can.

As you have been told, treatment is divided in to intensive treatment and non intensive treatment. The intensive treatment aims to cure the leukaemia but it is much tougher. His haematologists would not have been suggesting this option if they did not think your husband was fit enough to receive it.

There is some useful information about this treatment on Blood Cancer website and on our Website. It really can help to have a read through this information and so you can understand much more when the doctors are talking to you both.

There are higher risks when someone has the more intensive treatment and your husband will be regularly monitored. Your husband will be more susceptible to infections.

I am sure that before any treatment starts the haematology nurse will explain about any potential side effects and what to look out for when he is at home. You should be given a helpline number and if you have any concerns night or day you should be able to ring for advice.

Depending on your husband's blood count there is no reason why he can't see his grandchildren as long as they are healthy and don't have any colds or coughs. Your husband is going to be much more susceptible to picking up infections.

If you husband's blood counts are low then it maybe sensible to limit visits from other members of the family.

Everyone reacts to chemotherapy in different ways so it really is a question of seeing how he goes.

You will have to ask the nurses at the hospital whether you will be able to stay over night as every hospital has slightly different facilities but do ask his team.

Clinical trials are usually only available through the NHS. You can ask his team whether there are any trials that may be suitable.

We do have a trials database that lists trials that we are aware of and have permission to put on our website but we are not involved in recruiting patients.

It is only your husband's haematologist who can do this as they have all his medical information and know whether a trial would be in his best interests. If there was a trial available then it would be his haematologist who would refer your husband to the place the trial was taking place if they felt he was suitable to join. All trials have very strict entry requirements which are not always easy to meet.

You can see the AML trials here. Trials are not open everywhere but if you press on the location tab it will tell you the places where the trial is open. If you want specifics on hospitals we have another website that has lists of those.

Try and take one step at a time. There is so much information to absorb. Don't be afraid to ask questions and let his doctors know if there is something that needs reexplaining.

I do hope this helps.

If you would like to go through any of this with one of the nurses on the helpline then you are welcome to give us a ring.

The number to ring is freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

All the best,

Catherine