phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 29, 2015 14:23:20 GMT -5
Ok my friends....I got the bad news Friday, Aug 28th that I have leukemia. As of right now, I do not know which form I have. I am waiting for an appointment with the oncologist to get started on all those damn tests. The only thing I know for sure, my doctor did say it is treatable. From what research I have done so far, I know I will need a bone marrow biopsy for sure. Not looking forward to that.
I will keep you posted as soon as I learn anything. I do have a friend who also has leukemia and she is going to help guide me down this road.
Tom
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Post by vegasjames on Aug 29, 2015 14:43:56 GMT -5
Leukemias are viral induced cancers and since they use antiviral drugs in the treatment the success rates is much higher than for chemo for other cancers. The success rate on leukemias and lymphomas, which are also viral in origin is about 80%.
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 29, 2015 15:26:56 GMT -5
Thanks for that info, I had not read that. Will take all the info and tips I can get.
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Post by radio on Aug 29, 2015 15:31:28 GMT -5
Good luck to you. Praying for a full and speedy recovery
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 29, 2015 15:47:50 GMT -5
ty
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Post by orrum on Aug 29, 2015 19:11:15 GMT -5
Kick it's butt pardner!!!!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,717 
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Post by Fossilman on Aug 29, 2015 20:03:48 GMT -5
Prayers going your way....................Have a buddy that had it,he beat it-you can too.................
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riverrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2010
Posts: 1,395
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Post by riverrock on Aug 29, 2015 20:09:48 GMT -5
Read lots to get info and stay strong.
Keep the board informed.
Best of luck to you, and your family.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 29, 2015 20:50:39 GMT -5
I will certainly keep you in my prayers. My nephew recently beat leukemia. In fact, he just had all the tests done again and he is still cancer free.
While it is a very good idea to be informed, it can be very bad indeed to read too much. Especially on the internet. I was told when my daughter faced cancer not to dwell on google too much. Advances in care and treatment are coming so fast! And, every person is different. The best thing for mind and body is to trust your drs. That's what my nephew did. He put all his worry aside (worry can be very bad for you!) and put his faith in God and his Drs. He had the best attitude. You would never know he had leukemia.
Watch out for the headaches with the spinal taps. Listen to what they tell you.
Leukemia is very treatable.
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Post by snowmom on Aug 30, 2015 5:09:41 GMT -5
Friend of 35 years (in her mid 60's) diagnosed with leukemia almost 2 years ago, rare form but got in with the right doctors after a false start. I flew out to N.M. for the original diagnosis to care for her livestock while she was undergoing tests. Doing very well and going about daily life pretty much as usual these days. She has learned to ask questions,( we have been in close communication through all of this.) " why is this being done, what will we learn, what did the tests tell you?" write down a list of questions if you have any, so you can ask and have things explained. Some people don't ask questions, just do what they are asked to do, and that's OK too... you will find your style as you go along. speak up if something is difficult for you or if you are suffering, have anxiety. There are things that can be done to help if they know you need it, but they can't help if you don't tell them what is happening on your end of things. Make notes of any changes you experience good or bad so you can tell the Dr when you experienced them. Always remind them of allergies, or bad reactions you have had in the past, question if things are not as you understood they would be. Its Ok to say no... my friend says this was one of the most important things she has learned. Best wishes, keep us posted, prayers and thoughts for healing and comfort headed your way.
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droseraguy
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 426
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Post by droseraguy on Aug 30, 2015 6:30:53 GMT -5
There's a lot of thoughtful and well spoken advice above. Not much I can add but you to our families prayer list. God bless !
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 30, 2015 7:34:45 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your response and prayers...both are very welcome.
I am one of those
ask many questions, even if I already know some of the answers. Most of the reading I have done so far came from the Mayo Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Hospital and Scott and White Cancer clinic. I will be using the Scott and White Hospital system.
So far from what I have read, and info and tips from friends, I am not so much worried about the cancer itself as it is very treatable. It's the unknown that always bothers me. I will have a great team of doctors starting from square one and that is something I can appreciate. I am also talking to other people who have had leukemia or other forms of cancer and listening to the advice they give me.
So, as right now, I am just waiting to get an appointment with oncology to get this ball rolling. It's the waiting that is hard for me. I do get results of test very fast. Scott and White Hospital has what they call MY CHART where they post test results and appoinntment information right away. Plus, I can send messages to any of my doctors. Scott and White has a good system in place and I use it often.
I promise to keep the board updated with any information I get as soon as I get it.
Again, thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I will always listen to any tips and advice I can get.
KEEP ON ROCK'N
p.s. I think I will keep a journal of this trip as a way to keep everyone posted and also to pass along to anyone in the future who happens to find themselves in this sort of situation.
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Aug 30, 2015 9:28:32 GMT -5
Hate to hear this pho.Wishing you well and hopes and prayers go out. The Scott and White is a wonderful health system.I've had it for years.I hear you on the mychart,I really like it.
snuffy
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chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
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Post by chassroc on Aug 30, 2015 9:30:44 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about it. Fight hard and my thoughts are with you for a full recovery
Charlie
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Post by roy on Aug 30, 2015 10:39:15 GMT -5
Ok my friends....I got the bad news Friday, Aug 28th that I have leukemia. As of right now, I do not know which form I have. I am waiting for an appointment with the oncologist to get started on all those damn tests. The only thing I know for sure, my doctor did say it is treatable. From what research I have done so far, I know I will need a bone marrow biopsy for sure. Not looking forward to that. I will keep you posted as soon as I learn anything. I do have a friend who also has leukemia and she is going to help guide me down this road. Tom the bone marrow biopsy isnt as bad as you think just had one done !i think until thats done you wont know forsure rite? |
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Aug 30, 2015 14:20:29 GMT -5
Roy....yes, nothing for sure until they do the bone marrow. That is square one. We will just have to wait for the test results and sit down and make a plan. Hopefully, we are getting in on the start of this and can treat it quickly. The hardest part of all this is the waiting.....
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 1, 2015 7:49:27 GMT -5
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, phoenix1647!!!! Please keep us posted on your progress. I really like your idea of keeping a journal! Agree with roy that the bone marrow biopsy is not that bad although the area will be a little tender after the procedure for about a week or two (sitting back). Had one last month (bone and aspiration). Saw the hand drill beforehand.  |
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Post by roy on Sept 1, 2015 10:13:04 GMT -5
Roy....yes, nothing for sure until they do the bone marrow. That is square one. We will just have to wait for the test results and sit down and make a plan. Hopefully, we are getting in on the start of this and can treat it quickly. The hardest part of all this is the waiting..... i know exactly what you mean i have been going threw the same waiting game for 6 months now after they found a marker in my blood work,now i have to go in every few months for more blood work to see what develops . i like you hate the waiting part ! personally i would rather just figure it out and get on with it . wish you all the best with your tests . |
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Post by gingerkid on Sept 1, 2015 10:45:59 GMT -5
roy, what is a marker? Is it an indicator for a possible tumor or cancer?
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Post by roy on Sept 2, 2015 16:43:31 GMT -5
a marker is when they find your immune system is failing can only be found by one certain test of the blood ! and yes its one of those things that wont get better but will get way worst later on so its a hurry up and wait to see what developes so the treatment cane be figured out
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