On Wednesday, February 17th we received a call from the doctor notifying us that PK had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). We quickly packed some bags and went to Regions Hospital which turned our calm quarantined life upside down.
We first discovered there was something happening on February 1st when PK went into get some routine blood work done as part of his medication management. In talking with his doctor to review the lab work he mentioned being fatigued along with a few numbers being slightly off. This prompted an additional round of labs a week later which included a full panel to get a closer look. The results that were most concerning were low red/white blood cells counts and low platelets. The numbers gave the doctors some concern and set-up additional tests.
Over the course of the next week, the doctors performed various tests and began a series of B12 shots to help improve his counts. Based upon all the tests and scans thus far, the doctors wanted to perform a bone marrow biopsy. On Tuesday, February 16th they completed a bone marrow biopsy at Lakeview Hospital. They informed us we would receive results in 3-5 days.
The very next day the doctors called with the results and informed us that PK had Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and wanted him to come into the hospital right away. In shock and processing the information, we made some calls to inform family, packed some bags, and went to Regions Hospital to begin treatment the very next day. Because of COVID-19, along with the chemo, there were limits on visitors coming to see him. The hospital allowed one visitor per day during visitor hours.
The initial treatment is the induction phase and lasts 28 days: 1) Seven days of chemotherapy (days 1-7) 2) Review genetic results of the bone marrow biopsy from Feb 16th 3) 21 days of rest and cell recovery (days 8-28) -- There is a potential bone marrow biopsy around day 14/17 to review the chemo’s progress 4) On the 28th day, another bone marrow biopsy to review how the new cells regenerated. Here we are hoping for remission.
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