Leukemia

[dj325]

I’m trying to find out what to expect in the next few months. My Dad, who is 73 years old, already has Emphysema and is on Oxygen most all the time, was diagnosed 3/5/09 with Acute Leukemia (AML) which was categorized as “aggressive”. With his other conditions and age, the fact that Mayo Clinic & Hopkins Doctors agreed that Treatment would only be maybe 35% effective, the best decision my parents could make was no Chemo/Therapy. It would not be practical, and most likely more painful than letting the Leukemia take the natural course. Doctor mentioned 1 - 4 months. Does anyone know what I can realistically expect and if he may live past 4 months? We want to be with him as much as possible and help my Mom out - they live in a neighboring State, which is a 2 hours drive from us. Already looking into Hospice options. Any other suggestions? Insights? Thx.

[renovationist]

DJ325, your post is exactly, almost word for word, what I found out today about my 81 yr old mom. I was coming to this site to see what others know about the deterioration, how it progresses, and what we should expect. Whew. The key word here is aggressive I think. My mom quoted that to me on the phone today, from the paper the doctor gave her with her diagnosis. They didn't mention how much time, but said it was a 'short-lived' course.
I'm 1000 miles from my mom but thinking that I need to make some arrangements here, especially if 1-4 months is suggested by her docs as well. That's not long, is it? My grandmother died of leukemia as well, though in 1988, they didn't tell us much about it.
This site is very informative also. Anyway, sorry I can't help but if you do find some answers, will you please share them? You're not alone :)

[dj325]

Hi renovationist, Sorry is has taken me so long to look at and answer your post. I have learned more about this process for AML, specifically in regards to my Dad.
Unfortunately, my Dad passed on 4/20/09 at 12:41 am. Thank God we had some great friends of my Dad's who actually gave him a party on 4/11/09 when he was still doing well. Later the next week he had an episode and fell at home on 4/16. He was checked out at the hospital - no broken bones - but it was obvious that he had a mini-stroke and seizure. My Mom and Dad agreed that he would be admitted to the Hospice that evening since he was already working with a Hospice Nurse and he needed 24 hr care. His left side was partially paralized (arm). I saw him Friday, and we found out that he had a stroke which also caused the seizure at home. During Friday, while my Mom and sister took a break for lunch, we came back in the room (1-1/2 hours later) and it was evident that he had had another mini-stroke while we were out. Basically, the entire weekend revolved around mini-stroke, seizure, mini-stroke, seizure. Unfortunately, he was completely conscience for the seizures and he told us, as best he could, that he would try to let us know when he felt one coming on. They became longer on Sunday morning (the seizures, no more mini-strokes). The Hospice Nurses were wonderful and kept him comfortable. He finally was able to get to sleep in the late afternoon/early evening, and passed in his sleep. The root cause seemed to be an artery in his brain behind his sinus cavity had a leak and was bleeding internally, which caused his very bad headaches and the mini-strokes/seizures. We were told that his going quickly over the weekend in his sleep, with the Hospice Nurse keeping him comfortable, was the best thing. Sometimes this type of pattern can go on for up to two weeks, we were told.
Hope this helps you. My Mom and sister were glad we got our other sister in from Denver by Friday evening, the entire family was able to be with my Dad for the last days, and he was aware of us being there until the end.