.My wife (55) was diagnosed by chance, a cruel chance, with AML 3 weeks ago. She was sent to A&E with a suspected DVTh having experienced pains in her left thigh. Long story short after a night in the casualty area, my wife was told by a haematology consultant in the middle of a crowd, a casualty that she had leukaemia and was transferred to our local hospital in Lincoln. She is now in the third week of her chemo. Haven’t had the one week or Ribena and then another chemo drug via pick line and is now on a final chemo drug to tackle fit three which is but in tablet form we are both finding this very difficult to come to terms with. It all just seems to be a rollercoaster, not only of emotions, but of side-effects with the treatment and a number of blood transfusions and platelet transfusions already. to be open each time I go and see her and leave. I did wonder if that will be the last time. Not that we’ve been told that she is in any imminent danger but it’s just seen the rapid decline over three weeks.. i’ll be interested to hear from any group member of their initial experiences of AML, and especially from those who are coming towards the end of the treatment.
Hi Tahkah and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us and to hear about your wife’s diagnosis. 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 NHL reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the rollercoaster journey rather well.
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.
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 person with AML in it so worth checking.
Always around to help more or just to chat
