Pediatric AML Just Diagnosed in 18 Year Old

annette1
annette1 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Childhood Cancers #1
A young friend of mine has just been diagnosed with AML. He and his family and friends are still in shock. Collectively our faith in God's plan (whatever that may be) is strong. Nick entered college this year as a freshman and his AML diagnosis is sure one big detour. Please send words of encouragement and your stories. Nick isn't a big internet user so I thought I'd try this out for him. Thanks!

Comments

  • annette1
    annette1 Member Posts: 5
    #2
    Following up a little more on this: At 18 why is he being treated as pediatric? Is there some difference between pediatric and adult aml? Please respond if you can! Does anyone have a similar story -- diagnosed in late teens with AML?
  • sh
    sh Member Posts: 14
    #3
    My daughter, Karen, was 3 days away from Grad School at the University of Chicago when she learned of her malignant tumor - Ewing's Sarcoma.

    It was like someone took a 2X4 and gave her a good whack upside her head for no reason. The new knowledge was most unwanted and extremely painful; she didn't know what to do except what she was told by her then physicians.

    I'd like you to know that Tumor Registries exist on the internet. TRs provide information concerning various types of cancer; which hospitals have the best survival rate, etc.

    A lady friend of mine was diagnosed with AML about 5 years ago. She has an excellent doctor who has worked miracles for her in that she's still working most of the time.

    Please get all the information on the subject of AML; read it, and find a good doctor.

    My prayers are with you. shaas
  • Cybit
    Cybit Member Posts: 2
    #4
    He has to think positively, no matter what. consider it a several month break in between classes. :D I still see a pediatric oncologist even though I am 19, I think at 18 they might be more aggressive with the therapy, meaning more chemotherapy, but a much higher chance of remission. I was given 4 times the normal dosage of chemotherapy when I was diagnosed (14), and my doctor didn't think I had a chance, but I went into remission fairly quickly (3 weeks or so after the chemotherapy) and haven't had any relapses since.

    When Nick gets done with therapy and is starting to go back to school, feel free to email me if he needs tips of dealing with college while in remission/side effects from chemotherapy. I am currently a junior in college studying aerospace engineering, so tell him he can still chase his dreams no matter what! Things will be different, of course, but it will be up to him to make it different in a good way or different in a bad way.

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