Hello, my father of 81 years young, has been diagnosed with AML 4 weeks ago

Hi Loving daughter x and welcome to this corner of the Community although always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike Thehighlander and I help out around our blood cancer groups.

I don’t have AML but was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare incurable but treatable type of NHL Stage 4a and although my blood cancer ‘type’ is different I have experienced many types of treatments used but not necessarily the exact same drug mix but understand this journey rather well unfortunately.

I am so sorry that your dad is on the AML rollercoaster. I can understand the worry you are experiencing.

I think you need to try and make a concerted effort to collect all the information you can. Your dad and mum may well not be catching what is being said, what the plan and indeed the prognosis is….. they may well have not even asked any of these questions.

You can, with your dad’s permission given to his medical team, be in the communication loop allowing to talk directly with his consultant or Specialist Cancer Nurse (if he has one).

A direct conversation is the only way you are going to get a clear understanding.

The treatment of blood cancers like AML is not straightforward and obviously his age is a challenge but I have talked with many 80 year olds who have been through treatments and are still doing well.

When I was in hospital in late 2013 having my first chemo I talked a lot with a lovely 80 year old granny, who turned  out to be the mother of the man I have bought cars from for years…… he says she is still around doing ok.

It’s always good to talk so do call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service provides lots of cancer information, emotional support, benefit and financial guidance or just a listening ear.

Happy to talk more at any time ((hugs))

Thank you for taking the time to respond and in such detail Mike. You are very kind. I am sorry to hear about your own battle with blood cancer but glad you have fought it this far and are able to offer such encouragement and support. I will ask my mum to ask if they can get me added when she visits this afternoon. Take care Mike x

Hi Loving daughter

i am so sorry your dad has been diagnosed with aml, it’s such devastating news as it almost always comes out of the blue.

I was diagnosed suddenly  aged 61 in April 2018 , I was very fit regularly running half marathons when a simple blood test after flu like symptoms spotted blood cancer symptoms. I had quite a roller coaster journey ending up with a bone marrow transplant in May 2019 . Thankfully now I am feeling almost back to my old self. 
Try not to google too much as there are plenty of success stories out there. If you want to private message me feel free and there are some good aml Facebook pages.

 I hope all goes smoothly for your lovely dad x

This is a good first step. I would also ask her to get the following info:

The Consultants name and contact details (phone number/email)…. This most like would be his or her secretary and ‘their’ phone number/email 

The Specialist Cancer Nurse (if he has one) and contact details (phone number/email)

Hi my mum had this and she was 76 and told she had weeks to live but she lasted 7 years without chemo as it made her to ill she had blood transfusions every six weeks instead and she managed to live a great life I know what you going through just enjoy everyday with dad and try not to look to far ahead xx