Anyone know of a child diagnosed with leukaemia (ALL) and have a happy outcome? Some positive stories needed please.

[Myworldjusthim]

My DS has been very unwell. Has had covid and a few other viruses for about 4-5 weeks. He was getting over the viruses but kept spiking temperatures. He was also sleeping a lot.
took him to the GP twice he said just viral. Took him A&E they said just viral but because his fever was high they would admit and start antibiotics.
Long story short, he had lots of blood tests that showed he had low wbc, low platelets and low red cells. So they admitted him. I asked several times about leukaemia and was told bit would show in his bloods especially the film. His fever kept stopping and starting. Sometime high, sometimes mild. They then said they wanted to look at his bone marrow as he wasn’t making any new cells at all. They suspected aplastic anaemia.
Last night we got the news he has ALL leukaemia. And they want to start treatment straight away.

Anyone know of anyone who has been in a similar situation? What is the outlook for leukaemia? What can I expect? Can he go into remission or recover?

Oh OP. I don't have any info good or otherwise, but I'm so sorry and wishing all the best for you and your son. hoping this helps bump your thread for someone with experience to see.

Neighbours child had it she is in remission growing like a weed and looking forward to her 11th birthday

What a shock for you - I hope you are managing ok. Just remember to take notes and write down any questions you want to ask the doctors. Don’t Dr Google for goodness sake.

A friend of my husband (he is now mid 50s) and a little boy at nursery (not fighting fit). When dad was diagnosed with leukaemia, we were chatting to the specialist and he said that prognosis for children was so much rosier than older people.

They have diagnosed it and you have a treatment plan. Wishing you all the best.

Don’t forget to look after yourself too (eat and sleep)

All the best OP

How scary for you all. I believe leukemia in children is very treatable and someone in my school when I was a child had it and fully recovered. Best wishes x

My friend's son. Diagnosed at 8, now studying some rare type of physics at one of the big London unis. It wasn't easy, he was very sick for a very long time.

Good luck to your family x

A woman I went to secondary school with had it in primary. She's now mid 40s and living a good life.

I still can’t believe it. 20 days in hospital and they kept trying to treat a bacterial infection with iv antibiotics. At one point I asked them that if he had an infection wouldn’t one of the antibiotics worked by now. I begged them to look at his blood for leukaemia, but they said he didn’t show any symptoms and his wbc count was low not high.
don’t think it’s sunk in yet. I’m numb with fear tbh. Dreading the chemotherapy treatment.

A boy in dd's class had leukaemia when they were in nursery. He's 13 now and thriving.

Dh's workmates son had leukaemia as a young kid and then again in his teens but he's well into his 20s now and is fine.

What a shock though OP, I hope it all works out ok

Gary Linekers son George. He had leukemia as a baby. He's in his 30s now.
Thinking of you and your family and sending prayers. ♥

Family member little boy had it. He’s a strapping teen now.

My ds’ classmate had it twice, once when a baby and it came back two years later.
She is now 11 and healthy.

what a dreadful shock. I hope you get the answers you need soon. A close friend’s son had lymphoma recently and she was absolutely bowled over by how “on it” the hospital was and she feels lucky to be in the UK in this situation, despite our general moans about the NHS

I.don't know anyone who.has had it but there is a support board on here for parents of children with cancer I don't know how active it is but maybe you can find some support and advice on there too.,it must be very worrying for you.

Leukaemia is a bastard of an illness. Very sorry to hear your son has it. My dad was diagnosed with AML in 2016 and is still with us following a stem cell transplant. Coming up to three years in remission now. I echo what someone said above re the NHS. From the beginning until now they were just absolutely excellent with everything to do with my dad's illness.

I wish your son a speedy recovery! ❤️

Hi OP. My cousin had it when she was little. She's now nearly 30, has a wife, an amazing job, and boundless energy. She's recently found out she can have children which was amazing news as she thought she likely couldn't. Will be thinking of you and your little one x

I’m sorry to hear you and your family are going through this.
I know two children who have had rare forms of leukaemia. One is a strapping 18 year old now (was diagnosed at 12) and fully in remission.
The other is 12 and right in the middle of treatment. They are doing very well and the outlook is very good.
Agree that the NHS has given the best treatment possible, but please push for psychological support, for you as a family but especially for your child. This is sometimes ignored and it’s a huge thing for you all to get your head around.
All the best to you x

Someone I was at school with had it as an 8 year old. He's a fully grown adult now completely fine.

If it helps at all, ALL is the most treatable cancer in children OP. The remission rate is really high.

A friend I worked with had leukaemia as a child. Is now a very healthy 35 year old who still raises money for related charities.

Thinking of you, the shock after a diagnosis like that can be earth shattering 💐

I had a school friend who had it at 13. Now a successful qualified vet and it hasn't come back at all.

Sending you huge hugs. ALL is one of our huge success stories and cure rates are now really high. My daughter had a different cancer rhabdomyosarcoma and has done brilliantly - she is now off all treatment and overall healthy and happy. It is a very hard journey but there is a lot of support out there and childhood cancer is something the nhs manages pretty well. There’s a Facebook group called my kid has cancer which you might want to join - it’s really supportive and there’s a wealth of experience there.

I am sorry , childhood leukemia does have really good outcomes. A lot of money goes into research for it.

https://bloodcancer.org.uk/ have nurses you can talk too and offer lots of support and advice.

Sending you lots of love xx

My DS is 12 too. I’m just so worried for him, at the same time trying to be so positive and reassure him that it’s very treatable and he will be fine in a few months time.
The consultant seemed positive, but I’ve lost all faith. How did an oncologist miss the leukaemia. Surely other patients have presented with blood counts and symptoms that are not typical of leukaemia. I’m not looking for anyone to blame, just trying to get used to the fact that my sweet innocent child has leukaemia.
The consultant was talking to me about the treatment he wants to start and to be honest, my mind was racing and I didn’t really pay enough attention to the treatment and what to expect. Now I’m regretting it. I’m worried it will be too much for his little body as he has been dealing with fevers for 20+ days now.

My friends son was diagnosed just before he was 2. He's just turned 13.
Hugs OP. It's long and frightening road to travel. Don't forget to look after yourself.

Sorry to hear about your daughter, but happy to see she has done so well and is off all treatment now. How long did the treatment take? The most intense part of the treatment I mean?
I will find the Facebook group and see if there is any useful info there