Hello, I'm so glad I've found this community. I'm new here and this is my 1st post.
I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago, following a really bad chest infection that wouldn't go away for 2 weeks, 2 weeks of extreme fatigue, I couldn't move, walk, I was on all 4s going toilet, passing out etc. In the end I was so weak that hubby took me to A&E. All the checks carried out and fast forward 3 hours later, we are told my white cells are 220 and I have AML. Oh God. I'm 43, I have 8 year old daughter, no medical conditions, I cycle everywhere, non smoker, occasional glass of wine. Been taken to ICU, bone marrow biopsy, CT scan, ECTs, "emergency" chemo. They saved me life that day. Sadly I was stupid enough to start googling stuff tonight and I now I feel impact.
Tomorrow I'm ending my "harsh" part of chemo, as I call it the liquids 
and starting 2 weeks of tablets on Sunday. Theu said I'll have a bone marrow biopsy 3-4 days later and we go from there.
It is such a surreal and petrifing experience. Mentally I'm doing reasonably well, as I said I have a little girl who keeps me going but it is still scary. As much supportive as family and friends are, they have different experience than us with AML. It is good to ba able to talk to people who're going or been through this.
I'm going to read the other posts.
I feel better for sharing my story.
Thank you to those who take time to read and respond.
Lots of love,
Anna
Hi angain AnnaD and well done navigating across to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to hear about your AML diagnosis.
As I said in your post in the New to Community area I don’t have Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) but I have been on my journey since 1999 when at 43 I was diagnosed with my first rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of very aggressive Peripheral T-Cell NHL was then presenting so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
In way of some encouragement…… back in 1999 I was told the median survival for my rare type of NHL was 5 years…… this was when our daughters were 14 and 18……I eventually had some intensive treatment between Oct 2013 to Oct 2015 (chemo, radiotherapy and 2 Allograft (donor) Stem Cell Transplants)……. but we went on to see our daughters graduate, get married, set up very successful businesses and provide us with 4 beautiful granddaughters….. I turned 70 back in Nov last year and I am coming up to 10.5 years since my last treatment.
Let’s look for group members to pick up on your post and get back to you. You can also click on the main ‘AML Group’ title and this will bring up all the group posts. Have a look at the posts and as always you can hit reply to any post and connect in with the wider group conversations.
You may find it helpful to call the Macmillan Support Line open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.
For good information do check out Leukaemia Care UK who produce very good information and run various support platforms including their Buddy Scheme, they also have a Support Line on 08088 010 444
You may also want to check to see if you have a Maggie's Centre in your area as these folks are amazing and most centres do run monthly Heamatology Support Groups and the one I attend does have a few people with AML in it so worth checking.
Always around to help more or just to chat
