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Husband has AML refusing treatment
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Nov 12, 2012 - 12:51 am
I am at loss! My husband was diagnosed one year ago with AML. He did the induction and 2 other chemo treatments. Once he found out that he was still NOT in remission he said "i am done with this rodeo." He would rather enjoy whatever time he had left. The Dr.'s had told me that he had to make his decisons, not me. I was ok with that and I stand by him in his decision, as watching him deteriorate on the chemo was AWFUL! My husband is a strong Man's man. Once he came home, he told me that he needed to "work this cancer out of his body." He landscaped our yard like he was an 18 year old haha! I am so proud of him, but I am constantly worried about him. He is the love of my life. I asked the Dr.'s what to expect. They said that they could not give me any answers because he quit in the middle of his treatment. He has bad days, but nothing like when he was doing the chemo treatments. Somedays I look at him and think that there is no way he still has leukemia. I just have no idea what to expect. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to watch anyone go through. If you know anything I need to hear or do...please tell me. |
Joined: Sep 2008
Dee,
As a 5th year survivor of AML and the treatment that accompanies, both of you have my prayers. I always felt the people around me are going through a harder time than me. I did not have adverse affects from chemo or radiation so I am unable to relate to the disappointment of no remission. I do feel a horrible sensation of fear and angst thinking about a relapse. Though my experience was smooth, I don't want to go back to the hospital and do it again. And times, I wonder if I would make the same decision as your husband. Feeling crummy because of something that should be saving your life, feels somewhat counter-productive. His length of life is not necessarily extended by treatment, as a matter of fact, most treatment brings secondary cancers. For him to choose a better quality of life in the now is a reasonable decision. It's going to be a matter of how he wants your time with him to be...
in and out of treatment and hospitals for sure, or, back to before the diagnosis and not knowing what's coming your way. Kind of like returning to less stressful times I guess. I would rather live as fully as I can than thinly for a longer time...
I'm not sure how realistic that sounds, but those are the thoughts I have about my own situation. Good luck with everything!!
Heidi
Joined: Aug 2011
I am sure it is hard to watch him struggle at times. But a positive attitude does wonders. I am not yet at two years of being an AML survivor. I will say that my joints hurt almost as bad now as when I was going through chemo. It effects my life daily and I hate it.
So for him to want to be as pain free as possible and enjoy life is understandable. Cheerish each day and laugh often.
Joined: Jan 2013
I lost my husband to AML in November, however he had a chromosome called FLT 3, that made his acute myeloid leukemia more aggressive, we had a 17 month battle that was truly a roller coaster ride, what I want you to know is we were told from the beginning AML is very treatable it was the FLT 3 that made our journey such a heartache, if your husband does not have FLT 3, after my journey and this is only my opinion, encourage him to fight, fight fight, don't give up, get the treatment, God will see you through, it might not be easy, but it will be worth his life in the end.
Joined: Nov 2012
Since my husband quit the treatment after he had induction and the following month of treatment, we don't know and the Dr,'s cannot tell us what his prognosis is. I watch him deteriorate and I am not sure what to expect or what I should do. I would love to hear from someone who has experienced the same sort of situation. There has got to be someone out there that can tell me what to expect or what I could do.
Joined: May 2013
And just a side note...from the dates of your posts....it looks as if he is for now doing as well refusing treatment as we are having DONE the treatment. So try to stay positive!
Joined: May 2013
My experience with AML is a little different, but one thing I have learned that may be helpful, and which the Drs. do not share with you...his diet can make a big difference. There is a book called the Anti-Cancer Diet by David Servan-Schreiber, MD that you may want to look into. The main premises is that sugars, white flours/pastas, and processed foods feed cancer, and eating healthy (lots of veggies, whole grains, some spices -turmeric and ginger among them) help fight it. I was skeptical at first, but have become a believer and now it is just a struggle to try to change our diets. You can order it from Amazon if you are interested.