I'm sorry I can't help personally with your question but there is someone on here who goes by the user name Matt91, he is also 19 with AML, I hope your able to conact him for any support and help you need,
I was diagnosed with AML on the 15th December 2010 and was 19 at the time. It came as quite a shock and i'd left it a while too as I put off going to the dr. When it was diagnosed things moved pretty fast and I began chemo a few days later.
The first round of chemo was the worst as my counts were already quite low, but the next three rounds weren't as bad. I also got an infection during my last round of chemo, but with antibiotics it was brought under control. I think it's quite normal to get an infection post chemo, so don't worry if that happens to your son.
I relapsed in September with a brain tumour, but it's extreamly rare, so don't worry about that happening to your son! The surgeon who did the operation said I was only the third person he'd ever seen with a relapse in the brain. I'm having more chemo for that now.
I met someone this year who's friend had AML when she was 17 and now she's in her 40's so it's a very curable disease.
Hang in there! For me I found my faith in God got me through it and the same this time round.
I hope your son gets better soon. Stay positive and try and look at the bright side.
My son isn't 19 years old - he is nearly 2 years old now, but he also has AML. He was diagnosed when he was 16 weeks old and we are now 1 year post chemotherapy and touch wood he is in remission. My understanding is that AML (at least in children) has a short, sharp approach - 4 or 5 cycles of strong chemo. Because of age and sub-type of AML, he is at high risk of relapse. However we will cross that bridge if we come to it. Would never have chosen to have this in our life, but it has been and remains an incredibly humbling experience to have shared our journey with other children and young people with cancer. Very best wishes for your son. The initial shock is the worst - once you get started on treatment and meet others on the journey, it does get easier.
Hi just joined this chat sight today. My daughter was 19 when she was diagnosed last July . She has a rare leukaemia which is both all and aml. We have been through alot together in the past 6 months. She was finally discharged December 12th and doing well so far. Just wondered how u and your son are doing now? X
So good to hear about your son. My son is three years old and was diagnosed with AML leukaemia in September. Today is his last day of cytrabine and I am thrilled we are finally never coming back for more chemo. Reading your post gives me more hope. As I only see children with relapse in the hospital. I wish your little troupper best of good health.
Our little toddler (now just 2) also has AML. He was diagnosed at 16 weeks and we are now 15 months post chemo. He couldn't tolerate the planned protocol, so he mainly had high dose cytarabine. He had horrendous side effects, but I hope that blasted the cancer aswell. Best wishes to you and the other children / young people with leukaemia and other cancers. Joanne X
Hi I'm now 20 but I was 19 when I was diagnosed with both ALL and AML. My mum was amazing with me she stayed at the hospital with me every night because when I was left alone I got so scared. All you need to do is be there to support him and tell him everything will be alright. He may be 19 but he needs you more than ever. Just always smile no matter how hard it is and encourage him to get out of bed as much as possible. If he's any thing like me he really wont want to but it helps so much to make you feel better.
If your son has any worries get him to message me and I'm happy to talk to him about my experience because at 19 it's so difficult because you just give freedom for it to be taken away again
