Cunningham-Ramos AML & Stroke after TBI Journey

It is estimated that 3-5 in 100,000 people in the general population have Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), with more than 1/2 of those being over the age of 65. Among the latter group, about 1/2 refuse treatment for various reasons, mainly the fact that the treatments do not cure the disease, only prolong life, while weakening patients as they progress.

After final diagnosis the question was: should Kim proceed with the chemotherapy treatment or just have a great few months of all-you-can-eat / drink, trips everywhere, and just enjoy life?

I anguished for days because, given Kim’s cognitive disability and his total dependence on me, he was looking at me to decide and I did not want to make this ‘life & death’ decision for him.

After many conversations with Kim, doctors, family, and friends and a lot of research on my part, I decided to let his body and quality of life dictate this decision: if he gets so sick that his quality of life becomes very poor, we can then consider stopping treatment. Kim also wanted his data to be used in research pertaining this disease and the meds he were to take. ‘This might help my kids and others one day’, he concluded. This is the kind, giving, person he is, as well as the researcher in him.