About my diagnosis....
I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML M7) on September 14. My mom and dad had noticed that I was very pale, bruised very easy and had petechiae (small purple dots that look like a rash) on my lower legs. I wasn't eating very well and tired very easily. They scheduled an appointment with Dr. Bradley Arnold to review my symptoms. The blood tests confirmed the worst. I was immediately taken to Primary Children's Hospital and admitted. It was a very sad day for me and my family. I had IVs put in, lots of doctors and nurses came to see me and I was scheduled for more tests. Mom and Dad were really shaken by the news and were worried if I was going to be okay. After a fews days in the hospital, the results were confirmed and my treatment roadmap was created. I had a hard time adjusting to the hospital and all the new people that came to see me every day. It was scary but after about a week - I had all the nurses wrapped around my little finger. After all - I have a HUGE personality! I have to go through six very intensive rounds of chemo therapy that will put my cancer into remission. The doctors will follow up on me every month with an office visit for the next couple of years and then I get to be done!!!! Other types of leukemia are treated with lower chemo doses that span two years - so I am happy to only have six treatments. Every day will bring me one day closer to the end of my journey.... :)
More about AML:
Acute means that the leukemia reproduces at a faster rate than normal cells. It starts by affecting cells that are not fully developed. Myeloid is a cancerous change that begins in a marrow cell that normally forms certain blood cells - that is, red cells, some types of white cells and platelets.
AML results from acquired changes in the DNA of a developing marrow cell. Once the marrow cell becomes a leukemic call, it multiplies into 11 billion or more cells. These cells are called Leukemic Blasts and do not function normally. These blasts grow and survive better than normal cells. These blasts then block the production of normal cells. Symptoms that are typical for AML include tiring easily, shortness of breath from physical activity, pale complexion from anemia, bruises easily because of the low platelet count, the presense of petechiae, prolonged bleeding, loss of appetite and weight loss. (Jessie experienced all but the prolonged bleeding).
Type 7 (Megakaryocytic) - leukemic cells have features of developing platelets. A flow cytometry was completed to determine this type for Jessie.
At the time of diagnosis, leukemic blasts are typically present in the blood and will likely make up more than 20% of the bone marrow.
AML is a difficult cancer to cure for children. Normal survival rate for children is at just over 51%. The blessing in this - children with Down Syndrome have an 80 - 90% survival rate because that extra chromosome reacts very well to chemotherapy. Only 15% of the childhood cases are Acute myeloid leukemia but this is the most common form associated with Down Syndrome. Children with Down Syndrome require less chemotherapy medication and it works better on eliminating the leukemia cells. Long term effects are typically heart damage and neurological or cognitive problems. Jessie is not expected to experience any long term side effects.
Relapse happens in about 50% of the AML cases for children. Jessie isn't expected to fall into relapse but she will have monthly follow up appointments to check for leukemia cells. In the event that relapse does occur - follow up chemotherapy would be required.
I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML M7) on September 14. My mom and dad had noticed that I was very pale, bruised very easy and had petechiae (small purple dots that look like a rash) on my lower legs. I wasn't eating very well and tired very easily. They scheduled an appointment with Dr. Bradley Arnold to review my symptoms. The blood tests confirmed the worst. I was immediately taken to Primary Children's Hospital and admitted. It was a very sad day for me and my family. I had IVs put in, lots of doctors and nurses came to see me and I was scheduled for more tests. Mom and Dad were really shaken by the news and were worried if I was going to be okay. After a fews days in the hospital, the results were confirmed and my treatment roadmap was created. I had a hard time adjusting to the hospital and all the new people that came to see me every day. It was scary but after about a week - I had all the nurses wrapped around my little finger. After all - I have a HUGE personality! I have to go through six very intensive rounds of chemo therapy that will put my cancer into remission. The doctors will follow up on me every month with an office visit for the next couple of years and then I get to be done!!!! Other types of leukemia are treated with lower chemo doses that span two years - so I am happy to only have six treatments. Every day will bring me one day closer to the end of my journey.... :)
More about AML:
Acute means that the leukemia reproduces at a faster rate than normal cells. It starts by affecting cells that are not fully developed. Myeloid is a cancerous change that begins in a marrow cell that normally forms certain blood cells - that is, red cells, some types of white cells and platelets.
AML results from acquired changes in the DNA of a developing marrow cell. Once the marrow cell becomes a leukemic call, it multiplies into 11 billion or more cells. These cells are called Leukemic Blasts and do not function normally. These blasts grow and survive better than normal cells. These blasts then block the production of normal cells. Symptoms that are typical for AML include tiring easily, shortness of breath from physical activity, pale complexion from anemia, bruises easily because of the low platelet count, the presense of petechiae, prolonged bleeding, loss of appetite and weight loss. (Jessie experienced all but the prolonged bleeding).
Type 7 (Megakaryocytic) - leukemic cells have features of developing platelets. A flow cytometry was completed to determine this type for Jessie.
At the time of diagnosis, leukemic blasts are typically present in the blood and will likely make up more than 20% of the bone marrow.
AML is a difficult cancer to cure for children. Normal survival rate for children is at just over 51%. The blessing in this - children with Down Syndrome have an 80 - 90% survival rate because that extra chromosome reacts very well to chemotherapy. Only 15% of the childhood cases are Acute myeloid leukemia but this is the most common form associated with Down Syndrome. Children with Down Syndrome require less chemotherapy medication and it works better on eliminating the leukemia cells. Long term effects are typically heart damage and neurological or cognitive problems. Jessie is not expected to experience any long term side effects.
Relapse happens in about 50% of the AML cases for children. Jessie isn't expected to fall into relapse but she will have monthly follow up appointments to check for leukemia cells. In the event that relapse does occur - follow up chemotherapy would be required.
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