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Life-limiting illness

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Original poster

Not a good day. leukaemia diagnosis.

975 replies

biscuitsandbandages · 14/04/2014 03:44

When I woke up this morning I was a mum of 3 with an 8 week old baby.

Now im a cancer patient on thr coronary care ward.

This cannot be happening to me.

OP posts:
DelGirl · 14/04/2014 08:15

So sorry you are going through this, what an enormous shock for you all. I hope you dont mind me mentioning, it maybe something you've not thought of but if you have life cover, check if you have critical illness cover attached. All good wishes to you Biscuits

Rachie1986 · 14/04/2014 08:28

Will definitely pray then biscuits.

Really hoping today goes as well as possible. I agree, talk about the needle phobia. Are your children able to come and see you today?

I don't see why you can't charge your phone? Particularly if you're going to be in hospital a little while?

Ledkr · 14/04/2014 09:11

Hi honey. Just wanted you to know that I was like you twenty years ago.
3small children and breast cancer.
Terrifying and bewildering as well as being worried about the children and money too.
My advice is to contact Macmillan, they were a great help to us and helped us out financially too.
Find out as much as you can and get second opinions if you feel the need.
Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and speak up if you don't understand.
Hopefully you can go home soon.
Just to help you plan, I had 6 months of chemo and apart from the odd day was nearly always able to cope with the kids while dh worked, I had a lot of anti sickness drugs to help me though and the kids were happy to play together while I lounges on the sofa.
Hope that helps you a bit.

Original poster
biscuitsandbandages · 14/04/2014 10:07

Thank you. This thread is a lifeline so please dont leqve me. Feel so pathetic but just waiting for bone marrow biopsy and things now and want to get the chemo in and gone. I have to stay in hospital for the first month at least apparently. The nurse just drew yhr curtains and seeing the sun outside made me burat into tears.

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 14/04/2014 10:19

Thinking of you biscuits

I don't live anywhere near, but will support in any way possible. I hope that you see a nacmillan nurse soon and find out about some practical help that's available.

I'm sure charging your phone is allowed. Some hospitals even have wifi now.

rightsaidthread · 14/04/2014 10:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

yegodsandlittlefishes · 14/04/2014 10:26

I keep checking back biscuits, we are all still here for you and many more Mumsnetters will join to support you through the day and the coming weeks.

So sorry you are not able to be out with your family in the sun today. Maybe you can go out to a hospital garden when they visit.

You are in the very best place now to get better and to be out in the sun with your darling babies for many years to come. xx

JuniperTisane · 14/04/2014 10:29

My brother had ALL aged 19, he's fine now. He was in the Royal Marsden in Sutton and they were very good. He had to be in hospital in a room for about a month I recall and after that was just in for treatments. We used to pick him up from there at 9.30pm and race home so he could sleep in his own bed.

Anything I can do for you I will if you are in Kent.

NCISaddict · 14/04/2014 10:29

Have pm'd you Biscuits but please don't feel you have to reply. Take care, hope you get some good news soon.

Ruprekt · 14/04/2014 10:29

What a horrible shock! I am in Berkshire if I can do anything. Smile BrewBrewBrew

Kakaka · 14/04/2014 10:33

Thinking of you Biscuit. There are Mnetters across the world to hand hold.

Misspixietrix · 14/04/2014 10:35

Oh biscuits Flowers. Just offering a hand hold here.

VivaLeBeaver · 14/04/2014 10:35

Biscuits, thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. It sounds like its been picked up quite quickly which is a real positive. Have you got family/friends who can help your dh with child care?

I know if there was a mum in our village in this situation I'd help with childcare, etc if I could. Even if it was someone I didnt know. People are good at pulling together in a crisis so don't be afraid to let it be known that you need help.

It must be awful to be away from your DC for so long. But if this is what needs to be done to ensure you're there for them long term then its a small price to pay. Keep charging your phone up, I'm sure the nurses won't mind.

pigsinmud · 14/04/2014 10:36

Another hand here to hold (Surrey if any use). I'm sure charging a phone is absolutely fine. Sending you some strength.

Misspixietrix · 14/04/2014 10:40

Re the phone. Check with the staff. DM was in Hospital for 3months last year. She couldnt have it on Intensive Care and to be honest was far too ill to be doing much anyway but once on the ward the Nurses often charged it for her. It was her lifeline too. My DF was allowed to charge his too when he was on Coronary so it might just depend on the hospitals. You're not pathetic at all its one hell of a shock for anyone to take in. Brew

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 14/04/2014 10:44

Another one here thinking of you. I'm in Suffolk if that's any help whatsoever. I've got the dc's with me at the moment but I'm totally free once they're back at school, I don't work. Hell, they can come for a ride out with me if they have to!

If you need absolutely anything, message one of us. We can message each other and get support to you if you need it. We're all over the place and there must be some of us near enough to do something.

You most definitely are not alone. There must be fifty hands here already holding yours.

Brew and Thanks

Abra1d · 14/04/2014 10:44

What a horrible shock for you, Biscuits. I am thinking of you.

Lilybensmum1 · 14/04/2014 11:11

Hi biscuits sorry to hear your devastating news, lots of support if you need it don't be afraid to ask, will keep checking in to listen and talk if needed you are not alone, I'm a nurse in South East and know hospitals are fab at ensuring mothers and babies stay as close as possible although not always easy if you are sick as they can't provide care for your babies.

Ask any questions Im Sure between us MNetters we can help, advise and just listen.

Thinking of you.

mistlethrush · 14/04/2014 11:31

I've been on a ward with lots of people having various different sorts of chemo - everyone I spoke to said that having the central line was so much better than having the normal IV.

Is there really a problem with charging your phone etc? I would have thought that they would be OK if it meant that you kept slightly less worried etc. I know MiL was plugging her phone and IPad in when she was in last year.

ISpyPlumPie · 14/04/2014 11:46

Another one wishing you strength and sending love and prayers Thanks

Misspixietrix · 14/04/2014 11:48

mistlethrush I think it is basically that all electrical equipment has to be pap tested. Well that's what we were told when DM was in anyway and why she couldn't use it in ITU etc. Also told the 3G signals can interfere with the equipment but bog standard ones are fine apparently. They did used to let us go out to the waiting room and charge it though when we needed to get numbers out of her phone to contact etc. Biscuits I'm not diminishing it at all but DM had to have the central lines in. They couldnt have been more reassuring if they tried they had a team around her why the docs did it. Tell them about your phobia if you haven't already. It's not silly and they will do their best to reassure you.

RockPaperScissorsLizardSpock · 14/04/2014 12:01

Hi biscuits, hope you have had a chance to rest. We are all still here, virtually checking in on you Smile

KiaOraOAotearoa · 14/04/2014 12:11

Hand to hold here too.
Talk to the nurses, they'll charge your phone for you. If it is an iphone, putting it in airplane mode will charge it quicker.
I think in your case, with 3 kids one of which newborn, you can certainly use your phone :)
Please let us know if you need anything.

Badvoc · 14/04/2014 12:14

Oh I am so sorry to hear this :(
Thank goodness they picked it up though!
Sending lots of love and prayers your way x

saffronwblue · 14/04/2014 12:16

Another hand to hold. Holding you and your little ones in my thoughts. What a huge piece of news to process.