VIDAZA prolongs survival in AML patients

My father, 89, was diagnosed with AML in September 2010 and immediately began a regime of Vidaza five times a week once every four weeks.  His improvement was such three months later that the oncologist did a second bone marrow aspiration to confirm the original conclusions.  And while they said blasts were elevated they were substantially reduced after only three rounds of treatment.  Now in his sixth month of treatment, his overall health is maintained if not improved and his PLT and NEU counts are low normal (PLT was 30, now 148).  WBC has improved to the point where prophylactic Cipro was discontinued. The doctor says his progress is "amazing", this after he told my father he had terminal leukemia and should get his affairs in order, quickly.  And, virtually no side effects with standard pre-nausea medications. Of course, he is 89...

my father who is 72, recently diagnosed with AML and we are going thru the second cycle of vidaza. He is quite neutropenic and is on prophylactic antibiotics and supportive measures. He receives platelets and pack cells transfusions regularly.
When did you start noticing the improvements in your fathers counts? And how many cycles of vidaza dis he receive to become transfusion independent.
Thanks for your help.

My Dad was diagnosed with AML last november,he has had 3 rounds of chemo and was told he was clear.
It has since returned after only a three month remision and has been told he basically has two options the first being Vidaza. 7 days of injections as an out patient, then 3 weeks off for as long as this is working.
we were told that some people manage 9 cycles if they respond well so the best we could hope for is 9 months!

The second option is a trial drug combined with another 3 month round of chemo(Vorinostat/ cytarabine) but being a trial he is not guaranteed to receive the trial drug,he may just get the chemo with a placebo!

He is now 72 and has some other complications being that he is diabetic and had a triple heart bypass around 12 yrs ago.
but other than that up until around May or June of Last year was reasonably fit and played golf regularly.

He seems reluctant to go through the chemo again as it would mean long periods in hospital and there does'nt seem to be any better chance of prolonging his life even if it works!

I have read on some blogs that Vidaza had been found to give patients up to TWO years in over 75% of cases but this not what we have been led to believe.

I suppose my questions are
A.  has any one had any experince of the Vidaza treatment?

B. if so, did it work well and for how long?

C. are there any other options i could ask his doctor to look at,as at this moment the       Leukemia cells are quite low.

Any help in making our decision would be of great help.

I am 55 and have been on Vidaza for 3 months now. It has brought upy platelet count and lowered my monocytes. I have chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and it has been working for me. I feel much better than I have in a year.