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Mum has leukaemia

JaneH1984
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Hi all,

Just over two weeks ago, my Mum was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. It was a massive shock to us all as she is generally very healthy and is only 58. 

She has spent the last 8 days in hospital having induction chemotherapy to try to get the leukaemia into remission straight away and from what the doctors are saying, this seems to be a real possibility. Apparently one doctor said there was an 85% chance of the leukaemia going into remission and Mum said that one doctor said 'I feel sure you're going to make it'. The cancer hasn't spread and the doctors say she is fit and healthy otherwise. She is responding to the chemo fairly well and the doctors are pleased with her progress. In fact, today they said she could come home for the day tomorrow for Christmas and we were all so happy that we cried! We weren't thinking about Christmas at all and now it feels like Christmas is back on.

So there are lots of things for us to be positive about at the moment and I know I should be thinking positively but I keep reading the survival statistics online for AML and I am still petrified. I've also become paranoid and keep thinking that my Mum and Dad are lying about the 85% statistic and what the doctor said to try to protect us. I also got it into my head today that the doctors said she could go home for Christmas Day because they think it'll be her last.  I'm annoyed with myself for thinking like this as its ridiculous and I certainly haven't told anyone about my doubts in real life. 

I was wondering whether there is anyone else out there in my position or someone who has beaten AML who might be able to reassure me that there is still lots to be hopeful about. If there is anyone who can help I would be very grateful to hear from you. 

Also, I am very aware that there are so many people in my position and worse positions and my heart goes out to you all. I hope as many of you as possible manage to have a good Christmas.

Xx

 

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    Hello JaneH1984,

    I noticed you hadn't yet received a reply so I wanted to welcome you with open arms to our forum. How was your Christmas with your mum? It's great that she was able to come and celebrate it with you and I hope you had a good time.

    We've had quite a few people post here who also have AML. Most recently, Shera who was newly diagnosed wanted to connect with others with AML - you can read her thread here and feel free to drop her a line if you want.

    I hope some AML survivors will spot your thread and share their story with you. In responding to your message, I will have bumped it to the top so hopefully others will be along soon to talk to you!

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

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    Hi Jane,

    Wow, finally have found someone in a similar boat. I'm so sorry that a similar thing has happened to you as well. It seems to have come out of the blue with a huge gut punch.

    My mum was diagnosed with AML on 23 Dec, just before Christmas. She was allowed home for Christmas, Induction chemo started on 30th, day 8 today. We've heard similar things about the induction - remission highly possible first time, good chances, good hopes, etc. But this is complete polar opposite to what I have found online. I've read scientific papers from google scholar which set the scene by saying AML prognosis is never good! Plus it is looking like mum's AML is stemming from Myelodysplasia, which wasn't spotted 6 months ago in a blood test. I've read that this could be a lot harder to negotiate with chemo. My mum is only 50. 

    I'm not sure if I am worrying unnecessarily. However, Christmas whizzed by, and mum was in over NY. Meanwhile, it's back to where I live for normal jogging - I can't get my head around it.

    How are you coping now, with Christmas gone? I guess your mum's on a break from the first chemo - any results as yet? I really hope that the induction phase has been the best it can. It's only been two weeks, and I (and I think all of us) have been angry, hopeful, confused, sad, and today I am a little down. It's good to hear from someone who is experiencing this as well - it has felt quite isolating at this time of year. I just want to take this away from my mum.

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