Worried Dad might have leukaemia

[bluebelless]

I’m not even sure why I’m posting this. I guess I just need to write my worries down somewhere. My Dad had a full blood count done last Wednesday. Yesterday he had a call from the GP surgery saying the doctor wanted to see him about his results so he has a telephone appointment booked for next Monday.

He’s been waking up with bad night sweats multiple times a night, is tired all the time and has large purple bruising all over his arms (although this has been going on for a while- GP has previously blamed steroid cream use for this) and his skin is terrible and itchy all the time. He’s only 60 and my only family and I’m terrified he’s got leukaemia but he’s so avoidant of medical things. He won’t log into the NHS app to look at his blood results and says he’ll “try” to answer the doctors call on Monday but he’ll be at work so can’t guarantee it and he just thinks I’m being dramatic when I voice my concerns.

I know he’s an adult and I can’t force him to do anything but I’ve barely slept with worry 😔

Sorry OP I couldn't just read and run but I have no advice really I'm afraid! Just to say I'm so sorry your Dad is poorly and you are so worried. There is no way of knowing what is wrong until he speaks with his Dr but you can rest assured that if there are worrying issues with his bloods then the Dr will insist on speaking with him. Just sending a hand hold and virtual hug. I hope your Dad gets some positive news x

With those symptoms I’m not surprised you’re worried! However, the GP will do other investigations and probably refer him to a haematologist, so he’ll know what he’s dealing with. Your Dad sounds very matter of fact about the matter, and that’s his way of dealing with it.

I was waking with night sweats, constantly tired and had itchy skin. It was type 2 diabetes, a fatty liver and high cholesterol. Obviously not all three were causing the symptoms but that’s what came up in my bloods and why they asked me to book an appointment.

Hi everyone, thank you for the replies. I’m really hoping it’s nothing serious but as expected my Dad hasn’t taken the call from the doctor this morning 😔

I hope this might help a little but my mum had similar symptoms that did turn out to be leukaemia and she had her bloods taken one lunchtime and by the evening they had called asking her to go to hospital the next morning, it was then that she was diagnosed. They tend to move very quickly if they suspect this so I’m just hoping that because they only wanted a phone call with your dad it wasn’t the worst. I do hope you have some answers soon.

That's incredibly worrying for you and very frustrating that he didn't take the call. I think I'd talk to him about wasting a doctor's time and how busy they are and how many people actually do want an appointment and can't get one. I really hope you can talk some sense to her and that he is okay.