I had this look again today from someone i had not seen for a while, did the usual how are you and the family etc.I then told her that my hubby had been diagnosed with AML acute myeloid leukeamia in july and was undergoing treatment, it was then i saw the look of horror on her face,i've had this look a few times now and i am curious to know if it's due to genuine shock,surprise or they think it's a definate death sentance, which we know it's not ,maybe 30 years ago,and do other people with other types of cancer ever experience this? would be grateful for your comments as i'm beginning to think i'ts because it's leukeamia and not another cancer,and is still relatively rare in comparrison to other cancers and peoples knowledge of it is still quite limited, unless you or a family member have it when you get to know about the disease very well!!
FormerMember
Hi do not feel silly, it is a real worry, and good thoughts from friends and family realy help, my husband was diagnosed in May and I have only just taken down his get well cards and there were so many of them, I know all those good fibes helped, so I am sending you good FIBES!! wish you and your husband good luck with the results.
Im sure it is just pure ignorance about Leukaemia that makes people react like that, most people only hear of children with leukaemia which tends to be more high profile, and im sure if they know your husband they are genuinely concerned for you and your husband,but yes i can understand your reaction as you tend to pick up on any vibes(especially bad ones) from people you meet,my worst reaction to my diagnosis of breast cancer was my brother phoning from Ireland and been genuinely surprised that i could answer the phone, i had great difficulty in convincing him not to write me off just yet,hence a steady stream of relatives have arrived from across the sea in the past few weeks which has been exhausting because i was determined to put on a brave normal face,but at least they went home reassured that i wasent finished yet,so you have to ignore peoples reaction and be positive , believe in your husbands medical team and only deal with one thing at a time.
It is shocking, I mean remember when you were told? I think people just don't know what to say. Its not like we all have a lot of "hatting" in this area, that's for sure. It is tough though. I feel embarrassed sometimes and don't want to blurt it out to complete strangers when they ask, "Oh why are you going to Little Rock?" (for our treatment) You know? Its just weird, like when someone dies in your family and they don't know, how do you really handle that. I think we are careful because we know there will be some impact and most likely not a good one. But not so here, here it is all out there and I love it and why I come so often. The freedom to say it and blurt out all we are feeling good and bad. A safe harbor. Hang in there. Best, Lori
I would just like to share with all something that I felt very strongly when I was diagnosed with cancer.
I was in shock and obviously very upset, but all I could think was something can be done for cancer. I grew up with my Father having Multiple Sclerosis and he died when I was 15. My nephew has Spina Bifida and has been paralysed from the waist down since birth ( he is 35) I work in a Hospital and see people with degenerative diseases. Cancer is not the death sentence it was years ago - there is so much more knowledge and research now.
There will always be ignorant people- just smile at them!
for responding,i thought deep down that this was a general response to any of the cancers, but was curious to see if others with different types experience it,and you obviously do,so i don't feel that it's just that my hubby has AML and people are still quite ignorant of the leukeamias as yes 30 years ago nothing could be done for them, but my hubby has "good risk disease" with a 8:21 translocation .....only understandable if you have AML, but means that due to age fitness and cytogenetic test results he should do well with chemo alone and hopefully won't even need a bone marrow transplant ,so far so good ,he is about to start his last course of chemo no. 4 in the next couple of weeks then fingers crossed that will be it,once again thank you all for replying and hope all goes well for you all xx fudgecake
