Hi everyone, this is very difficult for me to put out there but I'm basically just wanting any kind of support at this point.
My partner of 14 years was diagnosed with APML on Wednesday morning (was told on Tuesday it was Leukemia but not which type), and sadly passed away on Thursday night.
This was an unbelievably big shock, we hadn't dealt with the diagnosis properly yet and then everything that could go wrong, went wrong.
The consultant told us on Wednesday which type of Leukemia she had, and that she immediately needed to start ATRA, whilst stating that it can cause some breathing difficulties, Emma unfortunately had the most severe reaction to it and ended up on a ventilator in ICU. The same evening she had a large bleed on her brain which was untreatable due to the cancer and blood loss.
All I was reading prior to this was how it's "very treatable" and knew she would be in for a rough ride, but to not even make it to giving Chemo a try is heartbreaking.
Have others in the group known of people passing so quickly after diagnosis? It's so surreal.
Thank you
Hi Adampb92 and welcome to this corner of the Community although I am ever so sorry to hear about your partner - my sincere condolences.
This must be a vary raw time for you especially due to the suddenness of it all.
I don’t have Leukaemia but I have been on my journey since 1999 when at 43 when I was diagnosed with my first rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of T-Cell Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive T-Cell NHL was then presenting.
Over my main in-patient treatment years (Oct 2013 to Oct 2015) as well as regular hospital stays with infections over the following 2 years (a total of 130 days/nights) I have unfortunately been infected n the same ward with people passed away very suddenly after being diagnosed and coming into the ward…… both with Leukaemia but also Lymphoma…..
There are some very aggressive types of both conditions and people can actually be living with them without knowing for a good period of time…… there is also the challenges when the body reacts negatively to the cancer and any treatment resulting in significant complications.
I have real words that can make this any better for you….. There is quite a lot of information in What to do after someone dies and many hospitals have bereavement services who may be able to offer support.
We do have a dedicated Bereaved Spouses and Partners Support Group on the Community - a safe place to talk with others.
As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides practical information, emotional support, benefits or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Always around if you need to chat more.
