BMT a necessity?

Erin78
Erin78 Member Posts: 4
edited March 2014 in Young Cancer Survivors #1
Hi everyone! I'm a 28 year old female, diagnosed in January 2007 with Leukemia--AML-APL M3. My induction chemo was 30 days of hospitalization on Idarubicin and ATRA, which failed. After I was released, I was readmitted five days later, learning I remained 97% cancerous. What a blow after such a lengthy period in the hospital feeling like crap! I started Arsenic Trioxide combined with ATRA, and after five weeks achieved remission. I'm undergoing consolidation with Arsenic and ATRA (28 days) and my onco tells me that it is mandatory that i have a BMT. I have read that this will eliminate any chances of my own pregnancy. Has anyone else had this? Has anyone else been able to retain remission not having a BMT? I refuse to accept that this is my only alternative. Please advise. Be well! :) Thanks in advance~

Comments

  • katienavs
    katienavs Member Posts: 88 Member
    #2
    Hi Erin,
    I am a colorectal cancer survivor and cannot advise you on the BMT. However, I had to receive pelvic radiation which made me infertile. I am 25 years old and being a mom has always been the thing I've looked forward to the most in life. This news hit me almost as hard as the cancer diagnosis. I hope you find an alternative to the BMT but if you do not try to look at it as saving your life and there are so many other parenting options out there. This was little consolation to me but it is the truth and getting you through treatment and back to healthy has to be the top priority. I completely empathize with you and I wish you the absolute best. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and staying in remission!
  • Erin78
    Erin78 Member Posts: 4
    #3
    katienavs said:

    Hi Erin,
    I am a colorectal cancer survivor and cannot advise you on the BMT. However, I had to receive pelvic radiation which made me infertile. I am 25 years old and being a mom has always been the thing I've looked forward to the most in life. This news hit me almost as hard as the cancer diagnosis. I hope you find an alternative to the BMT but if you do not try to look at it as saving your life and there are so many other parenting options out there. This was little consolation to me but it is the truth and getting you through treatment and back to healthy has to be the top priority. I completely empathize with you and I wish you the absolute best. Good luck with the rest of your treatment and staying in remission!

    Hi Katie, I'm so glad you are a survivor and yet so sorry that you are no longer able to carry children. I don't know about you, but I feel as if this is an area that is poorly discussed prior to treatment for young adults such as ourselves. I totally agree with you that health is the most important, and I certainly will look at other options if there isn't an alternative to a BMT. Thanks so much for replying. Peace be with you.
  • afrodizzy
    afrodizzy Member Posts: 1
    #4
    Hi Erin,
    I am also in my 20's and was diagnosed last year with AML as well. I had a bone marrow transplant in January and am now in remission. I believe it is more effective than just chemo, but that is just what I have heard from my doctors and have gathered from talking to others, however as you know everyone's case is different. I was told the procedure could make me infertile, but at that time my health was more important, because without it I wouldn't be having children anyway. Because I was young my doctor was optimistic that I would still be able to bear children. I am still waiting for my body to sort itself out and hope it will return to 'normal' soon. Hope that helps and good luck with your treatment!

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