My husband is 76 years old and has been in and out of the UCLA hospital 6 times since July 7 when he was diagnosed with AML (FLT3, D835 chromosome mutations). He completed the induction phase of chemo and a subsequent bone biopsy showed his white cells were "clear". After consolidation chemo that was not the case so he had relapsed. It was decided to try Mylotarg, another chemo treatment used primarily in the elderly. The second treatment of Mylotarg has been completed and he is currently hospitalized and receiving blood and platelet transfusions as needed. His counts have been at zero for a few days but have not started back up. Yesterday he was complaining about a sharp pain on the right side of his head - from his eye to his neck - and this morning is having double vision. This has been a veritable rollercoaster and we take it "day to day" as his oncologist suggests. The doctors say that the reason he has tolerated these three rounds of chemo is because he was in very good health - no heart problems, no diabetes, and he exercised every day and was very careful about what he ate. It's so very difficult to know what to do - I have been cooking food and taking it in every day because he is so tired of the hospital menu, but he is not eating very much. He owned a manufacturing company and was working until he was diagnosed - said he was planning to retire at the end of the year but the decision was made for him. We have had a wonderful life together - 48 years of being best friends and I cannot imagine life without him. Guess I am interested in any thoughts anyone has about this process and what your experience has been. Thanks for listening.
Hi Cathy,
My 72 year old father is in somewhat of a similar situation. He was diagnosed with AML (FLT3) early September, he had the standard 7 day induction chemo. The day 14 bone marrow was "clean" and he was allowed to go home about two weeks after that. The next bone marrow was taken at day 30, which resulted having 25% blasts. My father was also working until the day he was admitted to the hospital, he was very active and as you can imagine, it has been very difficult for him to be in the hospital. We had the option to continue treatment with a higher dose chemo or Mylotarg, we chose mylotarg because it seemed to be less toxic and perhaps he would have a better quality of life. He just started his first cycle on Tuesday and so far so good. He has lost 15lbs from the beginning of September and has not been able to put the weight back on. His appetite changes day from day, he has good days and bad days. His diet has been difficult, my mom has tried to cook for him too, but it hasn't really helped. This whole process has been a roller coaster ride thus far, you really have to just take it day by day. It sounds like you are doing the best you can! I will keep you updated on how he reacts to the Mylotarg. Best of luck, stay strong and you will be in my prayers!
Thank you for replying to my post - it's nice to know that someone is listening. A couple of days ago husband began having right sided headaches behind his eye and his right eye started to droop. A lumbar puncture was done which showed that there were malignant cells in his spine so they are using a chemo treatment in that particular area - it must be repeated every two days. Apparently this treatment will prevent him losing his sight and having serious pain so he has agreed to it. The WBC and ANC counts have finally started upwards and when the ANC gets to .5 he can come home and have the chemo and any necessary transfusions as an outpatient. They will do a bone biopsy before releasing him from the hospital to see if the Mylotarg put him into remission, but we have been told that his condition is not curable and he is no longer eligible for transplant consideration. Today he has requested that I make chicken rice soup (though he says it absolutely cannot smell like chicken!) - hope that he can eat a little. You're absolutely right about the rollercoaster. We have a daughter in Colorado (we live in CA) and it's difficult to know what to tell her about flying out here to be with her Dad. She has her own family to care for, but we don't know what happens from here so I just take one day at a time and will bring her here when the "time is right". He is determined to be here for his Granddaughter's birthday and Thanksgiving - seems to make a difference if patients have a goal to strive for.
Sounds like we are sharing experiences and I would appreciate hearing from you again. Best wishes to you and your Dad.