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Michael's treatment will involve several phases.
Induction
Michael has completed the first phase of chemotherapy, called
"induction." This phase of intense treatment lasted
6 weeks. In this phase, all of Michael's white blood cells were
killed, and the leukemia went into its first remission (no cancer
cells could be found in his bone marrow.) This was a very difficult
period, especially because Michael developed an infection which
he had a very hard time fighting off because of the lack of
white blood cells. Once the treatment was completed, Michael
was given drugs to help him rapidly grow new, healthy white
blood cells. He returned home on Christmas eve, weakened but
feeling good.
Intensification
Michael is now in the second phase of his treatment, called
"intensification." This phase will involve frequent
admissions to the hospital for chemotherapy treatments and follow-up.
This treatment will most likely continue for one to two years.
Bone Marrow Transplant
If the cancer should reappear, then Michael's doctors will consider
a bone marrow transplant. Hopefully Michael will continue to
respond to the chemotherapy and a transplant will not be necessary.
Please visit the American
Cancer Society for more information on common treatments
for AML.
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