A lifelong friend was recently diagnosed with aml after exhibiting leukaemia type symptoms for many months. I read how aggressive it can be so I’m surprised that it’s aml after all this time. The internet would have me believe that left untreated, it can kill someone in a matter of weeks. Perhaps it started as something else and has developed into this.. I don’t know.. and without probing the poor individual with further questions I probably will never be told.
Aside from feeling ill for a long time because of what is happening to them now, they are in good health overall. They have just began what sounds like a severe course of in-patient chemo. I’ve no idea to what extent the aml has reached, as they haven’t said. They are/were an active male, aged 68. When I read about aml in that age group it looks bleak. I know the doctors have said they won’t be able to ‘cure’ it but that they can ‘maintain’ it. What does that actually mean?
He is over 400 miles away and visiting him would be difficult as I care for my disabled autistic daughter. On the other hand, he’s my oldest dearest friend. I’ve spoken to his friends and family and everyone is putting a positive spin on things but they don’t actually say anything specific. It feels worse to me but only because of what I keep reading. I’d like to hear from people in his age group to get a clearer picture of how successful their treatment was, or how they’re doing afterwards. I’ve no idea what to think right now and am balancing my daughter’s needs with wanting to go and see him incase he’s sicker than everyone thinks.
Hi Stretched907b16 and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us and to hear about your lifelong friends diagnosis.
I am Mike and I keep an eye on our various Blood Cancer groups.
I don’t have Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) but for some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was then presenting so although my Blood Cancer ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
As to your friend’s age……. I spent a lot of days and nights in a Heamatology ward having treatment and I talked with a lot of people in their 69s, 70s and yes a few in their 80s who were being treated for AML and for years I would bump into them at clinic or in town and they were getting on with life.
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 also want to look at the Community’s general…..
……support group where you will connect with a wide range of members navigating the exact same support challenges.
It is an emotional time supporting family so you might find this Macmillan information your feelings when someone has cancer helpful as well as this link getting help with your emotions.
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
Always around to help more or just to chat
