My usually fit and healthy 84+ mum was recently admitted to hospital with anaemia and we are 3 weeks into her hospital stay during which her symptoms increased and after various investigations and haematology involvement she has been diagnosed with leukaemia ( of the bone marrow), which I think is Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) , after an initial bone marrow aspiration/biopsy. She is now settling onto an oncology ward. She’s frightened but coping with daily blood tests, and transfusions, despite being very bruised due to all these. Treatment had been mentioned a week ago and a 2nd bone marrow biopsy needed taken 3 days ago and we’re still waiting for confirmation of treatment options. We have a named specialist nurse but I’ve not met them properly to ask questions . It all seems to be progressing slowly and I’ve so many questions.Im worried about her condition worsening on treatment as the side effects look similar to her symptoms that have already worsened. I’m reading the literature and can see Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is so very complex…. I feel pretty confused about things and can understand some of my mums frustrations and do hope I get to discuss questions soon … I’m wanting to ask the ‘right’ questions as I’m aware time is precious to the specialist health professionals ….
Hi Caz, first want to say again how sorry I am that you have to go through this. I told you a few things about my experience with my mum in response to your reply on my post so I won’t repeat that here, but one more thing I wanted to mention. In the early weeks we received what I perceived at the time as very conflicting information regarding some of her symptoms and which treatment option they were going for. I found this really frustrating but I’ve come to accept that they don’t fully know everything either, she was seen by lots of different consultants and some options changed depending on her status that day. I think I’ve learned to roll with the punches a bit more and accept that things can change rapidly. It’s hard.
Also to caveat that my mum is not treated in the UK so some experiences will inevitably be different, but I think both care and treatment options are very similar regardless.