Living with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)

[Loriana] Hi, I’m so sorry you or your loved one has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. I’ve been there. I understand the enormous amount of stress you are under…The confusion…The frustration…THE exxxxhaustion.

Why?

Because just a few years ago, I was in a similar position to you…fighting for my life. Sitting in a hospital bed separated from my then 2 year old son and on an emotional roller coaster with so many questions, fears, and emotions all swirling around me.

What is going to happen? Is there a clinical trial for me? When will I see my son?

And how will we pay our bills?

My name is Loriana Hernandez Aldama, and I want you to know that you are not alone on this journey.

I’m also a journalist, and so I am interested in understanding and sharing the different types of AML journeys that people have.

There are people with AML who are older than I was when I was diagnosed, and people with AML who are unable to have what is called ‘intensive chemotherapy’. I’m not one of those people… but I have been part of a research study where I spoke to AML patients who could not have ‘intensive chemotherapy’ to learn about their stories.

And I want to share that study with you.

[Title on screen] Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

[Narrator] Acute myeloid leukemia (otherwise known as AML) is a rare blood cancer with an estimated 20,000 new cases in the US in 2020.

We are health researchers, and for this study, we spoke to 15 people in America who are over 65 years old and have AML, most of whom have never taken treatment for AML. For each of the 15 patients, we also spoke to a member of their family. We learned a lot from these discussions.

We want to thank everyone who took time to share their stories with us. We know it’s personal. I know firsthand that cancer isn't easy to talk about.

The emotions are so raw….

But together we can make the patient journey better.

If this is something you are going through, we know that this may be a really difficult time for you and your family.

No story, no struggle, no journey is the same.

Everyone’s journey will be unique; but remember…there are others who are going through these experiences, and help and support are available.

If you need more support or information, please speak to your doctor. You got this.

[Title on screen: Thank You