Hi I’m new to the group

Hi Mandy MH and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to hear about your dad diagnosis. This must have come as such a shock but lets hope that you will find the support in the group a great help for you all as you navigate this.

I am Mike and I help out around our various Blood Cancer groups. I don’t have Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare (incurable) but treatable type of Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma  (another type of blood cancer) reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I know this journey rather well.

The important thing at the moment is to get to understand what the journey your dad is going on looks like, what treatments will he have, how long will his treatment last....... getting this information and talking with other who understand can help a lot. 

Let’s look for the AML group members to pick up on your post. There are a number of active group members at the moment so why not 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.

It’s a challenging time for you so you may want to use the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 or via Webchat and Email too. This service provide cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

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 most are online at the moment….. the one I attend does have a few folks with AML in it so worth checking.

Always around to help more or just to chat ((hugs))

Thank you so much The highlander for the welcome and the information you gave me. I think I may need to phone the helpline more so for emotional support as I currently feel like I won’t be able to support my Dad as I keep getting upset all the time. I don’t want it to be about me but I need some strength to be there for him. My Mum is a very emotional person and I feel he will need strength from someone x

Has your dad been given any idea as to what the treatment journey looks like?

It's important not to try and carry the weight of this on your own so do check out and use the support platforms I have highlighted.

What hospital is your dad under or going to be treated at?

Take a few breaths then some more and take each day as it comes ((hugs))

My Dad was told yesterday that he will receive monthly appointments at North Tyneside General hospital. In the upcoming months they will be looking at chemo. He had a scan at Newcastle Freeman hospital which confirmed his myeloma.

Mandy MH 

The Freeman Hospital is a great place, I went down to see one of the specialist when we were considering my next line of treatment.

Just to check….. you used the word Myeloma….. is it Myeloma your dad has or is it Acute Myeloid Leukaemia as they are rather different types of Blood Cancer.