My FIL has lymphatic leukemia

[Thomcat]

Does anyone have experience of this?
Just found out this morning and don't know much else.
TIA.

What a shock Thomcat, I hope your fil is getting some good support, and your mil too? I think BACUP and Macmillan Nurses have support groups if they wanted to access it.

My dad was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia 10 years ago this coming Christmas, so I don't know much about the lymphatic kind. He is still going strong, well some days not so strong as others and his life has changed beyond all recognition what with hospital appointments, check ups, blood tests, bone marrow drills and tests etc etc.

What have the hospital told him so far?

I think this is the same condition as my Grandfather has. he is in his 80's and has had it for about 8 years so far I think. If it is the same I think it is usually a type of leukemia which has very little effect and usually effects older men. My grandpa is symptomless, up and about and driving. The only thing is that he has blood tests every 6 months I think to keep an eye on his blood levels. Basically my understanding of it is is that you are more likely to die of something else before this disease does as it is so slow developing and controllable. I hope this is the same for your FIl and that everything goes well for you all. xxx

Thank you for that.
Yes, a real shock.
We don't know how far into the illness he is yet or anything like that.

No idea TC but just wanted to post x

TC my dad has been on a cocktail of medications over the years - it has taken a long time to find the right mix that suited him. His is a slow developing one, hence the term chronic. As Flossam rightly says someone with leukaemia is more likely to die from an illness caught whilst the immune system is so weak - as you know leukamia affects the blood therefore the immune system is virtually wiped out. Also whilst attacking the rogue cells in the bllodstream, they also attack good cells too which is why such a close eye is kept on the patient in the way of blood tests and bone marrow tests.

Once over the initial shock and once his meds had been tweaked, my dad resumed a somewhat normalish life in between the hospital visits. tbh it is something he has learned to live with as there is now no immediate danger of anything happening.

Is he in hospital now?

Thanks all, and bless you Foghorn

No he's at home. He's awaiting more tests.

The waiting is the worst bit, all sorts of things build up in your mind until you scare yourself half stupid with it all. My dad calls this the "arse twitching" time.

Was your fil feeling ill for a while - waht prompted him to go to the docs do you know? Sorry I seem to be asking tons of questions - tell me to bog off if you like!

My dh has chronic lymphocytic leukemia and at present it totaly symptom free. Not only is he symprom free but the RAF considers him well enough to fly a jet worth £100 million! He was picked up for a blood test for something else!

He has been told he may be 15-20 years before he needs any treatment at all

If it's chronic lymphatic leukemia (aka CLL or chronic lymphocitic leukemia) that's actually not a big deal at all. My dad has had it for years now. It's a benign kind of cancer--not that you'd want to have it, of course. But people don't tend to die of it, and don't even realize they have it.

It's affected my father most when he's had operations (he's had several the past couple of years for unrelated ailments) and has needed more than the usual number of blood transufusion to get his red blood cells etc up to count.

But I sympathize, TC, 'cause i know it sounds scary, and it was scary for us, too, at the beginning. And if it's some kind of acute leukemia, instead of the chronic one my dad has, well that's a whole different thing, too. Best wishes to you & the fam.

Great to read your posts.
LOL QWueenEagle - at arse twitching, and no, please don't bog off.

Not sure why he had blood tests. He's overweight, going to have his hips replaced, has to watch his blood pressure. I'm not really sure but a routine test showed that he had LL.

Thomcat, I totaly understand your stress. I worry about dhs health all the time, which is a load of arse and I should stop.

Honestly if it is CLL it isn't such a big deal at all.

In fact the RAF have just improved his medical rating....he had other health probelms (unrelated) and the RAF don't see it as a probllem at all.

I'll show your posts to DP tonight and I'm sure they'll help put his mind at rest. Thanks everyone, xx

My dad was told he has leukemia 2 weeks ago. He finds out tomorrow if he has acute or not but that is what they suspect. We have felt a bit stunned since we found out, but tomorrow they will tell him his blast count which apparently will decide whether his is acute or not and they will go through his options with him. He is only 65. I never realised there were so many types of leukemia until now.

Hi Carlsberg, sorry to hear that. Hope he's going to be ok.
They (parents in law) came over for dinner last night and he seems fine about it all, for now anyway.

Carlsberg,sorry about FIL.The Leukaemia Research Fund have a website.Cancer Bacup also good.Depending on whether chronic or acute leukaemia the treatments differ.The unit he is on should be able to offer support from specialist haematology nurses and provide you with info when he gets a definitive diagnosis.Wishing him all the best.

Thanks for your support. Hope your FIL is ok Thomcat. You just never think it will happen to your own family do you? I have been checking out webisites and there is a lot of info, although some I wish I hadn't read!