Just had call to say niece in hospital and they think she has leukemia

[lillee]

Am feeling sick to the stomach and numb at the same time. Sister and i haven't spoken for a long time so BIL texted for me to call him back - he was in bits.

Apparently she's been in hospital all day getting tests done. They are transferring her to hospital five minutes from me to do bone marrow tests. The consultant has told them that two blood tests have come back 'erratic' and 'it looks bad' now would they say this before they do the further tests?

Don't know what to do, obviously they don't need me there at the mo. Other than to offer they come here for rest/change of clothes/shower/moral support or i go there immediately they need me i feel totally helpless.

We have already lost a cousin aged 7 to this disease (just after my 21st birthday) and its all i can think about - his big blue eyes and hers both looking at me really scared

Just be there for them it's all you can do. all though it's a long struggle it doesn't always mean it's terminal. A friend's 3 year old dd was diagnosed 2 years ago and although she went through chemo and infections etc she's now in remission and doing well. Thinking of you and them. x

Just be there for them it's all you can do. all though it's a long struggle it doesn't always mean it's terminal. A friend's 3 year old dd was diagnosed 2 years ago and although she went through chemo and infections etc she's now in remission and doing well. Thinking of you and them. x

Thanks Ledodgy. I know you are right. I hope your friend's dd is going to be alright and glad she's doing well.

Thing is cousin had been in remission as well and got really sick and tired at my party that's why i remember the 21st bit so clearly.

prob won't sleep and want to get to the stage of crying so i can let this out. God i'm going on about me me me here and its her i'm thinking about but it's not coming across very well.

Sorry to hear this Lillee, can't imagine what it must be like, nor what your sister and BIL are going through. I can't add to Ledodgy's wise advice. Keep posting if it helps,though I am going to have to go to bed soon, DH complaining and computer is in the bedroom.

It must be a huge shock and it isn't fair that someone so young should go through this. It's heart breaking and as parents ourselves it is even more frightening. I do know it depends on the type of leukemia as to the recovery rate luckily my friend's dd had the one with the most hopeful outcome. I hope this is the case with your niece also. What I do know is that your sister will need you now despite whatever has happened in the past for you not to talk to each other.

Thanks Califrau and lilo. Don't really know what i'm expecting people to say but the words of support do help.

Thing is i spoke to her on my birthday (she arrived at my mum's house when she called me to wish etc etc) and she said she'd been sick that morning and didn't feel well. Mum came back on phone and said she looked whiter than she'd ever seen her. That was three weeks ago to the date. We put it down to a bug but my mum braved a call to my sis to be told 'there's nothing wrong with her, don't know what you're talking about!'. BIL met mum at the local shops following week and said he was on way to docs with niece as she was still being sick .

Don't know if this is related but its all going through my head. Her son was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of two. I begged her for 4wks to take him to docs cos he kept being sick and was always clammy .

Don't know what i'm trying to say here, just feeling so so helpless

so very sorry to hear this poor her and her parentsand you of course

sorry to hear this, i hope that you and your sister can support each other throu this despite what has happened in the past.

of course you feel helpless it is something that you dont want to think about

Yep Ledodgy you are right. I didn't know there were different types so that's hopeful. Just when you have had such a bad experience in the family before its the first thing you think about really. But that does give me hope

And yes, even though what my sister has done was the most disgusting thing you can think of i will of course be there for her and the kids in this. They are my blood after all and i do dote on my nephew and niece so much. Those things don't matter at a time like this. Just that she couldn't call me herself that's all

Thanks amy and OJ. OJ feel humbled by your support

Do you think though, at this stage, they would say 'it looks bad' before they send her to a children's hosp and do the marrow tests? Am i being ridiculous now?

you don't need to be humbled love, i can't always offer much in the way of support these days but i couldn't pass this by, do feel free to CAT me if you want to and add me too your MSN

I will add you to MSN OJ, thank you so much. This means so much cos you have enough on your plate. I do post on your thread sporadically but always read them. Sorry Steve is not have such a good day and glad he at least ate some tiramisu!! Hope you have a chance to relax and a peaceful night to you all. You are always, always in my thoughts xx

how sad i hope things are positive and mybe this will help heal your unese with your sister?

poor little girl if shes still being sick she must be feeling dreadful at least you are able to offer practical and moral support in that you live so close........

you dont need to feel humbled i cant imagine what you are all going through i really hope your little niece is going to be ok

well said Amy humbled is so not needed, getting throu the rum day is what is needed right now.
i don't know how this is going to work out for your niece but just want you to know that you have my support no matter what

[email protected] if you need to chat

Thanks again windy and amy. By the way i don't know how i'm feeling so i can't tell you what i'm going through - just kinda numb and at the same time this knot of anticipation in my tummy at the same time. Just keep thinking of her being really scared.

When i spoke to BIL second time he told me he is going to tell niece in the morning what is going on, ie the full works and tell my nephew. I asked him not to until he has full details and can he not say it in a different way rather than coming straight out with it? I know its up to them to handle it but the kids' heads have been messed up enough by them two, with various situations over last couple of years.

Maybe they are right and i'm totally wrong but i just thought 'the doctors know there is something wrong with your ..... and you have to stay here until we find out what's the best thing to help you' kinda thing. Rather than blurt out 'you are here because you have leukemia which is a form of cancer' which is what he said to me!

Tell me i should butt out if you like, but FFS! She is 7 and nephew is 12.

thanks again, xposted with you both = as per usual for me!!!

i wouldnt tell her untill i had the facts but then she is not my child but theirs they probably havnt had a proper chance to talk/think it all through yet they will still be in shock and have their heads all over the place i imagine

Yeah poss amy, but they do go in feet first a lot of the time. Sounds like i'm just putting them down, am just concerned for the kids that's all

Lol at OJ wi the rum!

DH is trying to get me to go bed but i just can't think of going to sleep yet. Will prob regret this when my own ds is up at stupid o'clock in the morning tho!

Oh and Califrau i hope the wee boy you know is going to be ok too. Don't know how i overlooked that!