Blood Cancer Awareness Month

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month.


It's been over 2 years now that my husband passed away with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.


Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that progresses quickly without treatment. It affects mostly cells that aren't fully developed. These cells can't carry out their normal functions. That's one reason why it's important to get care and treatment as soon as possible.
With treatment, people who have AML continue to see improved results. However, AML can be a difficult disease to treat, and researchers are studying new approaches to AML therapy in clinical trials.

AML results from acquired changes in the DNA (genetic material) of a developing marrow cell. Once the marrow cell becomes a leukemic cell, it multiplies into 11 billion or more cells. These cells, called "leukemic blasts," do not function normally. However, they grow and survive better than normal cells.
The presence of the leukemic blasts blocks the production of normal cells. As a result, when AML is diagnosed, the number of healthy blood cells (red cells, white cells and platelets) is usually lower than normal.

AML progresses rapidly without treatment.

I'm thankful everyday for the treatment that my husband was able to get. It prolonged the time that my family and I was able to spend with him. Without treatment the doctor said he would only last about 5 months. So thankful that he was able to get a bone marrow transplant from his brother, Bob. The "Leukemic blasts" were just too strong. My husband fought a good fight.
So thankful that I'll get to see him again someday in heaven.

Pray that someday a cure can be found for this and other cancers.