Quality of life after leukemia

keikersboy
keikersboy Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Leukemia #1
My father was recently diagnosed with AML and has thankfully been reacting very well to the chemotherapy. He is having concerns about how his quality of life will be after he is released from the hospital. Does anyone have any stories I can share with him or other websites to check out that could lift his spirits?

Comments

  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #2
    Hi,

    I'm from the colon cancer discussion board. My father had CLL which is a form of Leukemia and that is one of the reasons I continue to check this board out. Have you tried searching the personal webpages? You can use AML as a key word and cancer type as Leukemia. The link to the webpages is to your left. If you ever want to talk, you can e-mail me here at this site. I have colon cancer and was dx Dec. 19th 2005. I had my tumor out the next day which was my birthday. I've gone through chemo and now I'm trying to get back to life while still trying to make sure I work towards staying healthy. When you find some stories, just print them out for him. I know when I found this site it helped because I realized I was not alone and there are other out there that have gone through this fight and are NED (no evidence of disease). Take care.

    Lisa F.
  • mc2001
    mc2001 Member Posts: 343
    #3
    Hola K-boy,
    I think each person responds differently do treatment but most do well after treatment. There may be some difficulty doing things a few years after treatment, but the good news is that we learn to adapt. The most important thing to remember, is attitude is very important. Try to have a good attitude about things. Learn to accept new challenges, some possible limitations, and help from others. When we allow others to help us, both parties win! Take care. God bless.
    -Michael (ALL survivor)
  • jayceejay
    jayceejay Member Posts: 3
    #4
    Hey, Keikersboy!

    I am a 4 year survivor of AML. I am 46 years old. I can tell you that "quality of life" is however you define it. I had a particularly nasty advanced version of AML and I had been dealt a poor prognosis. Four years later I am laughing at them all. I can remember being very tired physically. I had the initial chemo blast followed by four rounds of consolidation therapy. The first year was a challenge to get through. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop (When will it come back?). I found enormous comfort in the ACS chat rooms from people who were experiencing the same issues. I DID NOT allow myself to listen to negative statistics. I became as active as I could as soon as I could. I joined a gym and started walking on a treadmill -- GRADUALLY building my strength and endurance. It took a year or so to keep from feeling fatigued all the time, but I am back to normal now, doing most everything I did prior to the illness, and my doc tells me that the odds of the disease making a return on me are very, very slim. As corny as this might sound, do not dwell on what you can't do, but rather on what you can do this week that you couldn't do last week. Set realistic goals and stay positive. It IS POSSIBLE to whip this thing! Best of luck to you and your Dad!
  • lisa1017
    lisa1017 Member Posts: 1
    #5
    jayceejay said:

    Hey, Keikersboy!

    I am a 4 year survivor of AML. I am 46 years old. I can tell you that "quality of life" is however you define it. I had a particularly nasty advanced version of AML and I had been dealt a poor prognosis. Four years later I am laughing at them all. I can remember being very tired physically. I had the initial chemo blast followed by four rounds of consolidation therapy. The first year was a challenge to get through. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop (When will it come back?). I found enormous comfort in the ACS chat rooms from people who were experiencing the same issues. I DID NOT allow myself to listen to negative statistics. I became as active as I could as soon as I could. I joined a gym and started walking on a treadmill -- GRADUALLY building my strength and endurance. It took a year or so to keep from feeling fatigued all the time, but I am back to normal now, doing most everything I did prior to the illness, and my doc tells me that the odds of the disease making a return on me are very, very slim. As corny as this might sound, do not dwell on what you can't do, but rather on what you can do this week that you couldn't do last week. Set realistic goals and stay positive. It IS POSSIBLE to whip this thing! Best of luck to you and your Dad!

    Hi jayceejay... My father was just diagnosed at 57 just a few days ago with AML. Please give me some advise. My family is confused.
  • hhh
    hhh Member Posts: 1
    #6
    lisa1017 said:

    Hi jayceejay... My father was just diagnosed at 57 just a few days ago with AML. Please give me some advise. My family is confused.

    I am two years out of from an autologous stem cell infusion and am working, raising my children and enjoying life. It took time to build up my stamina, but I am now able to stay up longer than the kids and life is back to normal. Enjoy and be in the moment. That truly is the gift that I have received from the experience.
  • dadshotrod
    dadshotrod Member Posts: 1
    #7
    HI Keikersboy,
    I am in the same boat you are. As I'm writing I am also sitting in the hospital room with my Dad. He also has AML, he wasn't as fortunate with the chemo. So he is on day +11 into a bone marrow transplant. He is also worried about life after leukemia. We have completely turned to the good Lord above us with all of this. The Lord has promised us to prosper us and not to harm us to give us hope and a future and that has kept my Dad and my family strong. (Jer 29:11) Copy and paste this link to your browser and listen to this song... it really inspired me! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnQ2Iy21Bh8
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • mrh
    mrh Member Posts: 2
    #9
    Quality of LIfe
    My husband was diagnosed 9 years ago with Cll and began Chemo with a few weeks. He has since had a relapse ( 5 years between ) and now a second relapse whcih we are not able to treat with chemo so we are investigating stem cells. the whole experience has been very difficult , especially for our children now 22 and 25, but through the entire time my husband has maintained it is a mind over matter barrle. He tries very hard to stay positive- he does have some down days- but he tries to plan things so he is always looking ahead. We have had some terrific holidays and vacations as well as a lot of time together as a family we did not think we would have. ( his initial diagnosis was for less than 2 years)
    The most important thing is to look ahead positively- even if it is only day by day. Before you know it a year will have gone by. Best of luck.
    mrh

Discussion Boards