Grandmother

My 84 yr old Grandmother got diagnosed w/ AML in October.  She isn't getting chemo (her age).  Her platelets stay around 11 (w/ FFP) She is getting PRBC's every 2 weeks.  The platelets are scaring me,  She is covered in spots and can hardly walk.  Is it getting close to the end??
Help!
Scared Grandchild!!!

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Since it has been decided that your grandmother will not be getting chemotherapy, her condition is going to progressively deteriorate as the days pass.  A platelet count of 11 with evidence of skin bleeding (I'm assuming that the "spots" you described are pinpoint hemorrhages called petechiae) is serious and can shortly progress to some major bleeding if the platelet count is not corrected.  Aside from the FFP, she probably needs a transfusion of platelet concentrate.  But this is at best a stop-gap measure, and will not slow the progression of her leukemia.