AML and nutrition

My mom was diagnosed with aml about 2 weeks ago. She has been on chemo for 5 days now at the University of Chicago. The doctors don't say too much and I am afraid to ask, but are there any survivors around 60 years old?

I had her ask about a multivitamin as we have been taking Shaklee vitamins and they said not now during treatment. Is that standard? Do they make you wait until chemo is over to take vitamins?

 Thanks,

Christy

My mom (64) was diagnosed with AML in March of 2006.  She was in the hospital for 30 days from the first round of chemo.  She followed up with 4 3-day visits for more chemo for 4 months.  She was in remission until last month Jan (08).  She is now in the middle of another 30 day chemo treatment for this.  Not sure what she is going to do for the next step.  Either Stem Cell or let it go and see what happens. 

They never have said anything about taking supplements or vitamins.  The chemo is such nasty stuff that I think it does not matter.  It basically destroys everything in sight and you slowly build all your blood counts back up by the end of 30 days.  Keep her strong between days 10-20 they are really tough.. fevers, nausea, no appetite.

Thanks for the reply and heads up. She has some blood clots that started in her mouth. I hope that doesn't get worse. She is about at day 10.

The reason I asked about nutrition is I see the Cancer Centers of America address nutrition in their treatment. A nurse on my mom's floor told her it is very important to get as much protein as you can in. My mom has been drinking two different kinds of protein shakes which are easier for her to get down than real food. But she still can eat real food too.

I pray all goes well with your mom.

Christy

My brother (33) was diagnosed with AML on Xmas eve. He has finished round 1 of chemo and is now in remission. He wouldn't eat anything other than cold, sweet fruits when he was getting chemo. Everything else tasted disgusting to him. One helpful thing a friend suggested was to get protein powder packets from GNC or Longs Drugs and mix it with his drink: milk, or coke, or whatever your mother likes to drink. Power to you, your mother, and everyone who has ever dealt with chemo. It is an absurdly brutal experience.

I am 2 weeks behind you in this - my mom was diagnosed 2/14 and is just finishing her 2nd round of the induction chemotherapy. They have her drinking 4 Ensures a day and I hope this is helping. Is your mom home yet?

Hi,

Well she came home last Monday and had an appointment with the clinic on Friday.

They told her they didn't get all the cancer and have to do a second round of induction chemo. She has a lot of leukemia when she went in. So they are happy with her numbers but she is a little sad now, understandably.

So she goes Wednesday to meet with her doctor and they said she will probably be admitted Monday for her second round.

How is your mom doing with the second round. How long did they wait from when she was done to when they started? They told my mom she had to wait until her blood counts were up a little higher so they didn't take her down too long and risk infection.

Many blessings and strength of a warrior to you and your mom. Email me whenever you want.

Christy

Hi,

My husband has AML and I asked the doctors for a multi vitamin for him... They gave him a pharmaceutical one... so yes, she can have vitamins, but I recommend Shakelee over anything out of a pharmacy.  But ALWAYS tell your doctor what you're doing... Don't hide stuff.  This is a devastating disease.  Do everything to save your mom, even if your doctor doesn't agree.

 

Hi,

 I STRONGLY recommend Various Anti-Oxidents and supplements!  Go to LEF.org (Life Extension Foundation).  They have various Protocols from around the world and recommend Much Higher Dosages than the USRDA allows/suggests.  Also, try to do other research from studies you can find on the net.

 From all that I've been able to ascertain the last couple of days (was just told on Friday that blood is showing pattern of CMML) ... the cancers themself, chemo, radiation, etc ... The Free Radical Damage is AMAZING.  Supplementation Will DEFINITELY Help!!

Also, Turmeric (Curcumin) <which you can buy OTC> has Many of the cancer fighting properties that these harsh pharmaceuticals have .. WITHOUT cell damage.  "Curcumin & ECGC increased cell doubling time, inhibited clonogenic growth by 55-60%. Clinical trials have shown 12g/3mos is safe."

GREEN TEA EXTRACT (ECGC):  "Prevents cancer cells from forming new blood vessels & thereby spreading to other organs"

MELATONIN:  10mg improves immune function in pts. suffering from wide variety of cancers.  Clinical studies support 20mg/day <During Chemo> can improve immune functions in cancer patients .. predominantly by enhancing the immunity... driven by 2 chief anti-tumor messengers, interleukin-2 & interleukin-12.

GARLIC:  Improves function of Natural Killer Cells & Lymphocytes

VIT A:  Supplemented in liver cancer survivors; No recurrence in 12mos.  VIT A derivitatives have been used to cure promyleocetic cancers.  (Clark N et al 2004)

SELINIUM: suggested as impt anti-mutagen.  Role in endogenous repair of DNA damage.  (Damage happens with ALL chemo, radiation, and natural course of Leukemia & other cancers).  <Toxicology 2004 May>

 FISH OIL (EPA/DHA)... Helps ALL around with function of body, mood, pains, etc.

 IF Your Provider has challenges with your wanting to supplement with other than multi-vitamin, Remind Provider that Hippocrates Teachings are STILL TRUE: 

"Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food."

Bless you all and Keep Fighting!!