After going to the doctors with itchy skin, then a week later being told I have Leukaemia, I am absolutely devastated. I was told on Wednesday and after having a bone marrow biopsy, I now have to wait 2 weeks for the results before I know which type I have. I’m not eating or sleeping and really don’t know what to do
Hi and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see the circumstance that brought you here.
I am so sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with a type of Leukaemia. How you have found out can be very normal as blood cancer can be in your body and you would not know it is until you start to get some signs.
I am Mike Thehighlander and I was diagnosed with a blood cancer (Non Hodgkin's lymphoma) over 20 years ago and I am still around. It is very important for your team to get your diagnosis spot on as there are a number of Leukaemia's so time spent now will make sure the correct treatment is used and on the whole blood cancers are very treatable, yes the treatment can be hard work but do-able.
Not eating or sleeping is not a great way of preparing for your treatment journey. Yes your head is a whirlwind at the moment but once a plan is put in place the noise will calm down and your life will get into the treatment rhythm. So try to eat as you do need to be as well as possible to go through treatment.
All the worry in the world will make no difference to what your team will tell you in two weeks, but starting to control the battle in your head is a very good first step.
On my long journey I found the best way to navigate the various challenges that a cancer diagnosis brings was by talking with people who are on the same journey.
We have a number of specific Leukaemia Forums where you will be able to connect with people who understand the journey you are on. You could have a look through them by going to the 'Groups' tab then go into 'Cancer Types' then search through the various groups.
We have a general Leukaemia Forum so you could start in there.
Just join the group and hit the 'Start a Discussion' tab and introduce yourself to the group and remember to go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts.
You may also find our various Macmillan Support Line Services on 0808 808 00 00 to be helpful as you can talk to a friendly person that can help in lots of ways.
When you have the time it would be helpful if you could put some information about yourself and the journey that brought you to the Community into your profile as it really does help the Community members to help you and get to know you.
Click on your username and that will take you to your homepage. Look for ‘Edit my Profile’ click on it and start to tell us as much or as little about yourself as you want then click on save before closing the page.
I will keep an eye open for you.
