Niece has AML

hooptiedoo

Niece has AML

hooptiedoo

I got some bad news last Friday about my great-niece. She has AML, one of the worst forms of leukemia. She's only 16.

Her name is Tasha, but I don't really know her well. Her father is career Army, and her mother is Korean, so he has been stationed in Korea for years and the whole family is living there.

AML usually is a disease found in older adults, but is more prevalent in Asian children. So far, all we know is that Tasha and her dad have been flown to Hawaii and she's already started chemo.

I've done some research on AML, and from what I understand, she'll have to stay in the hospital a month to receive intensive chemo. The hope is that the chemo will force the AML into remission.

Once remission is achieved, she'll still face more chemo to keep the AML in remission. Overall, the survival rate is 25-49 percent, but younger patients are more likely to survive and some are considered cured.

A little background -- three of Tasha's great-grandparent's died of cancer, her grandmother (my sister-in-law) died of breast cancer, her grandfather (my brother-in-law) has had cancer and now Tasha has leukemia. I'm not sure about her mother's side, but on her father's, it seems there's some sort of genetic tendency.

I can't stop thinking about Tasha, and thoughts of what she's going through have brought back memories of my own chemo experience. Life is just soooo unfair. She should be thinking about learning to drive and going to the prom, not having to go through chemo. I'm just sick about this.

Anonymous

Hang in there. My niece Marissa was dx with CML at the age of 12, 2 years ago and even though the chemo and treatment is rough - CML actually occurs in adults only and she is now in remission. Marissa was at Stanford hospital in CA and we kept the support as positive as possible which we found that was what she wanted.

Marissa pulled though and has been in remission ever since.

She will need you to remain positive and encouragement plays a key factor. Ask your niece what she wants from you and then follow through. Keep hope alive in this journey!!!

My thought are with you and your family.

Anonymous

Hooptie...I'm so sorry for her and for your family. It really doesn't seem fair that one family should suffer so many cancer occurences. But Pepper is right in that there is a great deal of hope. I work in cancer clinical trials and our group actually specializes in trialing leukemia treatments, among others. There are tons of new drugs on the market and many more down the pike.

The only "positive" that I can offer is my observation that children who battle cancer almost always emerge stronger and more compassionate individuals. That's not to say that its worth it, but it might make it easier to bear.

I'm sending positive vibes her way!

~Marin