It really depends on your specific bone marrow biopsy and what mutations you may or may not have. My husband was diagnosed with ALL. He was able to a avoid bone marrow transplant because he was missing the other half of a mutation that used to be considered higher risk for relapse but now because of the advancements in targeted therapy drugs a immunotherapy he didn’t need one. Another factor is how quickly and how deeply you can get into remission prior to specialist evaluation. Hope this helps. Stay hopeful.

The transplant requires a genetic match or the body will attack the foreign cells. Before transplant a chemo is give to kill everything in the morrow which may attack healthy cells in the body and make a person very ill or require a long term hospital stay? Then after the transplant the person is checked to see if the new cells are being attacked by the body? I think this is a last minute approach to help a person because of all the ill affects?

I think that getting the BM Test is just part of the treatment plan for anyone that gets it. For me it was no big deal. Too many ppl. get stressed over it. it's kind of important to ge tit done though. They have to know what they are dealing with before they can come up with a treatment plan.

Thank you SO much for your input. This is very overwhelming

Hi Kelly! YES! I have by the way spent some time in your town when I lived in Lafayette in the 70s! I am 74 was diagnosed with AML last September--a fluke trip tp emergency then a hurried trip to Dartmouth with 8 weeks of IV and oral chemo. Started out with over 30% blasts, 36 hours later 50% blasts--today my AML is inactive (mine is from the mutated DNA chromosome T53). I had NO symptoms either btw! As I progressed, toward the end of my stay and after 2 bone marrrow biopsies, ut was time to make a decision. Although healthy and at 5% and under for blasts, there was no guarantee that it would remain so without a BMT or at home constant chemo. I had just relocated to NH to live with my daughter having finally beat liver disease after 5 years of that whole to do. My medical team was transparent and we pulled no punches. In order to have a BMT IF I was even considered it meant us having to move to Boston, make a three yr commitment and live near the hospital. ( We like you live in a small town, 2 hours from upper grade services but NOT where that capability existed--my guess is she would have to go to New Orleans?) Year 1 is physical prep, stamina, cell care and donor search. Year 2 is transplant, year 2.5 and 3 is after care. Its ALL tough on the body for even the heartiest ( I am in very good shape however). At 74 to consider 3 more years of illness, struggle, meds, illness etc--we made the decision not to consider that and opt for home chemo care. ( Inqovi and Venetoclax). Still no overt gross symptoms, still capable of 99% of my own care. So when the cells at that time reached a fairly sustainable level, I was discharged to home chemo. I started a regimen of 5 days of Inqovi with Venetoclax and Venetoclax for 2 weeks after, we eventually removed the Venetoclax as it was too much for the cells, but remained with the on off regimen of Inqovi. I started at abot 12-14 weeks cell recovery, I am not down to an Inqovi regiment of 3 days on, then recovery of 7-8 weeks, 3 weeks FREEDOM, then we start again. No side effects except a tad of fatigue but nothing to complain about. My AML is now inactive, my CML is quiet and my MDS is almost in inactive status so I'm in maintenance mode and will be for the rest of my life if all stays well. I AM AS HEALTHY AS I CAN BE which is about 90%. Masks, gloves and critical hygiene from my family is a way of life. I avoid crowds, am in most of the time but when the cells are in synch, I get to go out---masked though.
I know you must have a gizillion questions so PLEASE call me at (Phone number can only be seen by the question and answer creators), Ill be glad to respond to anything, I tried to give you enough info to get started with the thought process, but I am VERY AML savvy so please call! It IS doable and you CAN have a decent life. Michele