My Dad has been recently diagnosed with AML

Hi 

My Dad has recently been diagnosed with AML one lot of chemo did not work .

He is only 72 fit healthy never drank or smoke so active he would put me to shame , he has now been sent home and we have been told he has weeks to months , im finding this so hard to deal with and so surreal that this happening !

Its like living with a ticking time bomb as you do not know what or when things are going to happen i feel like im stuck and i cannot move forward .

I just feel so helpless for My poor Mum who is heartbroken , we live opposite ends of the country so imtrying to keep it together here as i have a family but its so hard .

Is anyone else gong throgh similiar or has been through this ?

  • Hi [@Tinky31]‍ 

    I'm so sorry to hear your heartbreaking news. 

    My dad was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in July. We've been told Christmas is a good point to focus on at the moment. The first couple of months I think I was in denial...I went to work...looked after the kids...supported my parents and siblings. Then my dads health took a turn for the worst and was admitted with an infection...then it hit me...

    i know what you mean when you say you can't move forward....it's like your stuck in limbo....

    do you get chance to visit often? I'm lucky that I live close to my parents and can can only imagine how your feeling at the moment if your far away.

    thinking of you and your family....here if you want to talk xx

  • Hi Tinky31

    So sorry to read your post, my Dad has AML too and one of the most frustrating things we have found is that sometimes the condition just doesn’t respond to treatment in a way that other types of cancer do. I have researched drugs, clinical trials, immunotherapy and there just isn’t a solution. It’s so hard to accept.

    Did your Dad’s consultant explain why he was only given one round of chemo? My Dad is 76 and has had 9 rounds of chemo which we hope will at least slow its progress - we know he won’t achieve remission. 

    I just wonder if it’s worth asking a second opinion on treatment and putting your case forward for more chemotherapy? 

    My Dad’s team of consultants met late summer and decided not to offer Dad any more treatment but we argued the case and one very kind & understanding doctor agreed with us and they restarted treatment in October and his blood test results are good. It’s got to be worth at least asking the question as quite often just one round of chemo isn’t enough.

    I feel for you and know exactly what you’re going through. Sending you lots of good wishes x

     

  • My dad has been diagnosed with AML.  I need some help.  I can’t cope with this.  We are so close.  What happens when he starts to deteriorate? Help please. 

  • Hi,

    im so sorry to hear your news.  My dad is symptom free and this was picked up from a routine blood test.  He’s not taking part in a trial run through Nottingham hospital.  His white blood cell count has started to increase rapidly and we are starting to think this is the start of it. He is wasting away and looks so ill.  Are you in the UK? 

  • Were about are you? It would be good to talk that’s all 

  • Hi Katie, 

    my Dad was diagnosed with AML in January and passed away two weeks ago. I’ve been where you are now as it’s really hard to watch them go through it. If you want to talk, let me knwo 

  • Hi,

    im so sorry for your loss.  Could you tell me how your dad was and the journey he went through during that time?  My dad was diagnosed with A M L about 2 months ago now.  He’s recently been in hospital for 2 weeks trying to fight pneumonia and neutropenia sepsis.  He’s now back at home but very weak, tired and aneamic.  He’s getting blood transfusions which don’t seem to be doing an awful lot for him.  We were due to get married next spring but moved the wedding forward to next week.  Dad or mum won’t be able to make it.  It’s hearbreaking.  If you could share with me your story, that might help me understand what’s going to happen.

  • Hi Katie,

    i’ve sent you a message, i’ll just post a quick summary here.

    my Dad started on the AML19 trial which didn’t work. He then had neutropenic sepsis and an infection in his line and ended up in ICU with kidney failure. Once his kidneys improved his started FLAG Ida but unfortunately he never recovered from that as it’s a very strong chemo. He passed away 12 days after started the second course of chemo. 

    We were really close, he was my best friend. I was planning my wedding also. I really feel for you. The AML journey is really tough. It happens so suddenly and you don’t get any warning. 

    I’m always here if you need to talk. Same for anyone else going through AML.