Please Help! -- > ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (AML-M3)

LoveBabyJesus
LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member

Hello warriors -- God bless you all.

I come from the breast cancer forum (dx at the age of 32). My aunt was just diagnosed with ACUTE PROMYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (AML-M3). Has anyone here been diagnosed with this type of cancer?

She had been bleeding for a long time from her uterus and needed to remove it but waited too long. She then developed an anemia. Now this diagnosis.

Can severe bleeding of the uterus cause this? How did you handle your treatment and your diet? Fow how long were you treated for? And what is the outcome when caught early?

Are the different stages of this type of cancer?

 

Please help. I love my aunt. She is like a mother to me. she is in her mid 40's.

 

Thank you all.

 

Rebe

Comments

  • Jlamomof2
    Jlamomof2 Member Posts: 13
    I don't have all the answers,

    I don't have all the answers, but i know that M3 is the most treatable type of AML with the best outcomes.  I think she is still probably looking at several months of treatment, an induction  chemo..usually about a week (which is the verge worst part!) and then follow up chemo, usually 1 week per month for several months.  It will be a life interruption for sure, but it is certainly doable...especially on the other end!

    AML doesn't have different stages.

    The Drs. will tell you diet doesn't matter bc they really just want her to not lose a lot of weight...so anything she can keep down is a positive.  That being said, the healthier she can eat is always better on the days that major weight loss is not an issue.  Have faith, stay strong; her outlook is probably quite good.

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Jlamomof2 said:

    I don't have all the answers,

    I don't have all the answers, but i know that M3 is the most treatable type of AML with the best outcomes.  I think she is still probably looking at several months of treatment, an induction  chemo..usually about a week (which is the verge worst part!) and then follow up chemo, usually 1 week per month for several months.  It will be a life interruption for sure, but it is certainly doable...especially on the other end!

    AML doesn't have different stages.

    The Drs. will tell you diet doesn't matter bc they really just want her to not lose a lot of weight...so anything she can keep down is a positive.  That being said, the healthier she can eat is always better on the days that major weight loss is not an issue.  Have faith, stay strong; her outlook is probably quite good.

    Thank you.

    Thank you so much for your input. It is so helpful. She is at the hospital now. They mentioned treatment, although I don't know what kind and to what extend. They will keep her in for a month. I am planning to go there to help out, especially since I'm so familiar with chemo (UGH!).

    And yes. Faith is very important. She has tons of it.
    How are you doing?

    I hope you continue to do well and live many years in good health.

     

    HUGS

  • Jlamomof2
    Jlamomof2 Member Posts: 13
    Doing great here!  Today's

    Doing great here!  Today's blood test looked good, so that marks 1 year, 3 mos. remission.  Has been almost 2 yrs since Dx.  Life has returned to normal and we pray it continues!  Good luck to you both!

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Good to hear!

    I am happy for you. May you have many more years with NED.

    My aunt starts treatment today. They are keeping her isolated for one month. The drugs will be:

    tretinoin - oral, Vesanoid

    Idarubicin

    Are these drugs part of the standard treatment? Any suggestions on what to do to prevent side effects and what to expect?

    Thank you.

    Rebe

  • Jlamomof2
    Jlamomof2 Member Posts: 13

    Good to hear!

    I am happy for you. May you have many more years with NED.

    My aunt starts treatment today. They are keeping her isolated for one month. The drugs will be:

    tretinoin - oral, Vesanoid

    Idarubicin

    Are these drugs part of the standard treatment? Any suggestions on what to do to prevent side effects and what to expect?

    Thank you.

    Rebe

    I'm not familiar with those

    I'm not familiar with those first 2 drugs, but would assume they are boart of normal regimen.  The last one I know is either ver similar, or maybe even the same drug under a different name as daunarubicin ...this is the one that will make her most ill.  It is also the one that will cause her to lose her hair.  our experience  was that then side effects didn't hit at all at first...but after a week started feeling it and by day 9/10.. Absolute and complete misery.  So  plan other needing more emotional support after the 1st week...any walking around or anything she can do physically is supposed to help.  We had an exercise bike in the room that my hubby used a little the first few days.  After a week or so any "exercise" or even stepping out into the hall, was out of the question for quite. While!

     

    the key during that period will be to find anything that she can keep down.  We did a LOT of smoothies.  The hospital will want her to takings a Ensure or a similar vitamin drink.  These worked for a week 2 but then he would vomit them immediately.  Honestly, there were a few weeks that he couldn't keep anything down...not 1 meal!   So set all inhibitions aside alet help her eat what sounds good....food brought in.

     

    also, something that was a complete surprise to us....the drugs (not sure which, but I assume the daunarubicin as he had the others again later) altered his vision.  He had several weeks where he couldn't even see to read a book...even with eyeglasses.  That was a downer as we assumed he'd spend a lot of time reading.  Instead he watched a lot of tv....so maybe have some good movies on hand.  Don't be afraid to ask for accomodations....space for a support person to sleep, a DVD player etc.

    i wish it were easier. I'm sorry.

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    Thank You.

    Thank you so much for your kind words.

    I have another worry. She was supposed to remove her uterus due to severe non stop bleeding. She can't now due to this cancer. She told me her bleeding started and doesn't go away. She is being treated in the dominican republic where the resources aren't as great and they are here so I worry. She asked me to ask you, survivors, for any imput.

     

    Thank you again! Blessings.