Cunningham-Ramos AML & Stroke after TBI Journey

The treatment regiment to be followed to kill the myeloid leukemia cells (see above image) in the blood entails hospitalization for 2-4 weeks at the initiation of the treatments, followed by ongoing 4-6 cycles of 2-weeks on chemotherapy by 4 weeks rest period as outpatient. This treatment regiment is to be continued for the rest of Kim’s life, because the treatment does not cure the disease, it only extends his life.

At the start of each outpatient chemotherapy treatment, we go to John Hopkins hospital in downtown Baltimore, where blood testing is performed first. When the results come out about 1 hour later, we meet with the oncologist or the nurse to review the results and decide if the blood counts are sufficiently high to proceed with the chemotherapy. If the blood counts are sufficiently high, the treatment proceeds about 1-2 hours later.  It entails injecting Kim with Azacitidine, one of the two chemotherapy drugs he’s on.  Later in the day, Kim takes Venclexta (a.k.a Venetoclax)  with food at home, 4 large pills that are so toxic that I was told to use disposable gloves when handling them.  This treatment regiment is to be continued for the rest of Kim’s life, because the treatment does not cure the disease, it only extends his life.