AML in the elderly

[bayougir1]

Does anyone have any experience with AML in the elderly? My Dad is 78 and was dx two weeks ago after a visit to the ER due to extreme weakness. He spent 8 days in the hospital. The "big chemo" isn't really an option due to his age and high mortality rate in the elderly. His dr. is treating symptoms to make him feel better - for now. He was given Hydra to lower his white cell count and blood transfusions. Home health comes to do a CBC at least twice a week. Just 3 days after his release, his counts were already off and he was back in the hospital for 2 units of blood and 2 units of platelets. He felt fairly well for the first day or two. Here it is, just 4 days later and he is already slipping back into the exhaustion. It seems the transfusions don't last very long.... I know all of this is "normal" for a leukemia patient, and no one can pinpoint just how much time is left. I am hearing anything from weeks to possibly a year...?? Otherwise he is in good health and was completely independent until two weeks ago. He was bicycle riding, walking, driving, and doing all of his own shopping and errands. Now going to the mailbox is a huge drain on him....