Leukemia questions ...

15 years ago

Only I don't really know what to ask.

Husband's nephew has recently been diagnosed (he's just 31). His blood marrow harvest was this week, and he will get results and a Plan of Action on Tuesday. All I really know at this point is that he has an enlarged spleen which is causing him pain.

He was a 'rough' teenager who has grown into an amazing young man. He's caring and thoughtful, with a wonderfully wicked sense of humor ... and looks out for his little sister (27) and his parents.

Any prayers, good wishes and positive thoughts will be very appreciated. Also, any guidance on what to expect and how tough of a fight this could be. They're in Omaha and we're in KC, so we're not there for daily support altho thanks to Facebook, we do have daily contact.

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Comments (9)

kacram
15 years ago
I don't know about leukemia. Have them check out
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
that is the leukemia and lymphoma societ. GREAT help
Also check out the Amercian Cancer Society pages.

and the Lance Armstrong Foundation has a lot of
information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lance Armstrong... click on GET HELP and order the guide book for him. invaluable
chisue
15 years ago
My late mother died of leukemia in her early 70's thirty years ago. I'm SURE there are now treatments, if not even CURES for many types of this. However, the leukemia was quite advanced by the time they removed my mother's spleen. (As I remember, the spleen produces blood cells in the fetus and will resume trying to balance the blood when the bone marrow cannot do so. That's why it enlarges.)

I hope the treatment will be successful, and quickly!
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Georgysmom
15 years ago
Good wishes, good thoughts and prayers for your nephew. Some leukemia's are quite controllable and can be put in remission for many, many years. It depends on what kind he has.
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
don't do a serch right now..wait til you have more information, then study...(((for nephew, and your entire family)))
kacram
15 years ago
The guide book helps the patient and family with
what kind of questions to ask, who to ask, where
to ask, how to handle different situations. Gives you
sites to go for help and more information.
The books are free, you just pay postage.
Mystical Manns
Original Author
15 years ago
Kat, thank you for the leukemia-lymphoma site. I'll be ordering the book tomorrow.

Susan, I'm pretty afraid to just surf for info right now, I did that with my own diagnosis and scared myself silly.
ont_gal
15 years ago
Stoney,one thing I "know" that can be done to help him is to remove the spleen..he doesnt have to have it.As far as the cancer goes,I am no help other than to say that I am thinking of you all.
azzalea
15 years ago
I personally don't know that much about the disease. Except that there are VERY effective treatments/cures available these days. I question, though, whether they're available to the general public. A very prominent dr. I know personally, recently had a young daughter (about a year and a half old) diagnosed with Leukemia. She was treated in a very prestigious hospital, and within a couple of weeks (literally no more than three) was pronounced CURED. I have a lot of questions about this--why aren't we all able to avail ourselves of effective treatments like this.

My point, though, is that your nephew needs to do a lot of research, finding the best drs, best hospitals, who have the best success rates. There apparently ARE very successful treatments available for the disease--if you know where to find them, how to get them for yourself and can afford them.
Mystical Manns
Original Author
15 years ago
I've seen where different types of leukemia have different "survivor" rates, but haven't wanted to dig any further until we know what type he's got. One type is as high as 80% for five years, while another is in the 20% range.

He will be extremely limited on his medical options, as he'd just recently gotten back in the workforce after being laid off last winter.

Thank you all for thinking of Shawn.

Leukemia questions ...

Comments (9)

kacram

chisue

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Leukemia questions ...

Comments (9)

kacram

chisue

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Georgysmom

susanjf_gw

kacram

Mystical MannsOriginal Author

ont_gal

azzalea

Mystical MannsOriginal Author

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Mystical Manns
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Original Author