DP might have leukaemia

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DP has been under investigation for kidney stones for months. Has flare ups, but no stones, confirmed by CT scan. Blood in urine, but no infection.

Blood tests revealed a seriously high white blood cell count. Doctor continues probing, he's asking about tiredness (he's tired all the time but put it down to his job, think along the lines of builder) and various other questions.

We now have a two week wait for the next appointment. I say we, he has the wait.
I don't want to tell him I'm worried shitless and add to what he's thinking about. Trying to be positive, but it's worrying all the same.

Not sure why I'm writing this and it seems so small yet with some other topics on here.

Hi op, sorry to hear this. If they suspect leukaemia then normally a blood film will be looked at the same day and he would be called. If you have a 2 week wait then leukaemia is unlikely. Did he see a haematologist? Who mentioned leukaemia as a possibility? There are chronic types of leukaemia that are non urgent but they wouldn’t diagnose those without a blood film.

Hi iheart. Thank you for your reply. The haematologist (sorry if it's spelt wrong) is the next stage. The GP has clearly stated we're now at the stage of ruling that out but that's what the symptoms are pointing at.

The blood film was taken last night. I'm hoping the two week wait is a positive that they're not too concerned yet, I guess if they escalate the timescale, that's the time to worry.

You've no idea how much that simple sentence has just helped. Thank you for your kindness.

So sorry to hear you're going through this worry. I am in a similar position with my DH. He has swollen lymph nodes in his groin, and a low platelet count.

I'm very worried, as he also has a rash on his chest. He's insisting it's dry skin, but I don't think so.

My DH is also very tired, but seems otherwise well. No night sweats, or weight loss. How is your DH? Does he have any additional symptoms?

Apologies, your DP.

Hi 17. I'm so sorry to hear you're in a similar position also. I hope your DP is right that it's just dry skin.

He has the tiredness, swollen spleen but no worry from the lymph nodes, high white count, low something or other, but at that point, I won't lie, I tuned out a bit and all I heard was they are looking for leukaemia. But other than that is generally well.

Obviously he's worried, but he seems really good in himself, if that makes sense. I hope your DH is the same and that you're ok.

Hi OP. Didn't want to read and run. When DH was diagnosed with leukemia he visited his GP, bloods ran same day and by that evening he was told they thought it was leukaemia. He was booked in to start treatment for the high WBCC and get a bone marrow biopsy for definitive diagnosis two days later. Of course, there are lots of different types of leaukaemia which will be treated and diagnosed differently but hopefully it's a good sign there is a 2 week wait and it's not high on their differential diagnoses list.

When DH was diagnosed it was via A&E after months of to and froing to the gp, and he was called back to a&e same night. An early diagnosed chronic leukaemia might well be seen under a 2ww, it sounds like the symptoms mean it's worth investigating thoroughly.

Thank you both for taking the time to reply, I hope your DHs are responding well to treatment and I'm truly sorry your experiencing this.

I hope your both ok also.

Used to work as a secretary for a lab that did leukemia (sp? I'm not from UK) tests. If it's the initial diagnose then you don't have to wait two weeks. Even two days would be long (but possible if it doesn't fit an exact diagnose, sonetimes the results are in between two types. It's not like a pregnancy test where you get a positive or negative, you get a list of codes (cd5+, cd10- etc) and then have to fit which illness it corresponds with). We've been called to fit in a test where the patient was is a plane flying back from vacation without knowing anything about the patient (name, gender etc). They really give it priority because leukemia has to be treated a.s.a.p. So if it's something like that you will get the information really quickly. They really just might be following a protocol and ruling it out before they do more tests

I hope that they find out what your DH is suffering from and that it will be treatable.

Acute leukaemia patients get unwell very quickly and we tend to not let the sun go down before bringing them in for treatment. So the fact you haven’t had a call since blood taken yesterday is hopefully a good sign. There are types of chronic (slow growing) leukaemia which are less urgent and tend to be treatable. Did they say that the white cells were very high or just elevated? I would call the GP Monday about the film result if you haven’t heard by then. Hope all ok.

Really sorry to read your husband is poorly. When my BF took her DD too Drs,the DR didn't let on that he thought it was Leukemia. They had bloods done in morning & by early evening,he visited them at home too give diagnosis. Really hope you get some answers soon. X

Thanks everyone. You're all very knowledgable and it does make me feel a bit better although also sad that so many of us are in a similar boat. The exact phrase used was very high white blood cell count.

No phone calls yet, we, well DP really, will be chasing the film results Monday. I think the not knowing what we are facing is the worst part at the minute. At least when we know we can start doing something about it.

I keep saying we, it's all him really, I can't do anything other be there regardless. Luckily DS has his friend for a sleepover tonight (agreed too before we knew all this) so keeping two hyper six year olds entertained helps keep the mind busy .

I hope four friends DD is doing well now Coxie. Thank you for the well wishes.