Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

37 weeks pregnant and found out on Christmas eve 3 year old daughter has Leaukemia.

44 replies

woodhj · 29/12/2009 08:22

Still sinking in and only got out of hospital yesterday evening. Feel so scared and uneducated on a cancer that will mean so many changes for a previously happy healthy little girl. Who now will miss nursery and have so many demanding changes on her cheeky little personality.
This year was the first year she understood Christmas and awoke in hospital with drips and lumbar puncture and bone marrow holes.

Can life be any cruller

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Mmmango · 29/12/2009 08:30

So sorry to hear this, wood. I don't have any experience to offer, but dd1 is the same age as your little girl. You must still be in shock at the news.

I'm sure there will be people will experience on soon who can help you get the information you need, and of course lots of support too.

snapple · 29/12/2009 08:31

that is so tough - My thoughts are with you and your family.

I don't know what to say during such a scary time except that the uk has some fantastic consultants and medical staff who can help your little girl.

Mmmango · 29/12/2009 08:32

This may be a daft suggestion, but can you do "Christmas" now she's home? Tell her Santa heard she was sick on the day, so is coming specially just for her.

maybebaby23 · 29/12/2009 08:43

Im so sorry to hear this Awful awful news. I have a DD the same age

Sending you hugs and strength. I hope your little girl makes a speedy recovery.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

SixtyFootDoll · 29/12/2009 08:48

So sorry to hear this, your poor little girl.
It must be terrifying for you.
A little girl in my sons class had leukemia and is now in remission. Now aged 7.
MAybe the new baby will help you all look to the future.
Try and be positive. xx

HowTheGibbonStoleChristmas · 29/12/2009 08:55

So sorry to hear this

You must be in absolute shock. Wishing you strength x

peppapighastakenovermylife · 29/12/2009 09:29

I am so sorry to hear this - have you posted on one of the other boards such as parenting or chat? More people will see it and can offer advice.

franke · 29/12/2009 09:39

I'm so sorry. My little cousin is going through this at the moment. I think all the usual cliches apply - take it one day at a time, be good to yourself blah blah. But probably not much comfort to you right now.

Have you been put in touch with the support you can get with this? I know my cousin has a MacMillain nurse who is an absolute rock.

I wish you and your dd all the best.

QandA · 29/12/2009 09:39

I can't imagine how you are feeling right now. Hope you find the strength to deal with this, especially at 37 weeks pregnant. Make sure you take support from others and don't forget about yourself.

PirateCatintheXmasHat · 29/12/2009 09:47

Woodhj

You must be totally shattered physically and emotionally

I hope that now you are home from hospital that you can get some rest? Do you have friends or family nearby?

I don't know amything about her illness, but I am sure if you post on health someone may have advice.

Life is cruel, you are right, I hope and pray all goes ok for you and your little dd.
xx

sowhatis · 29/12/2009 09:48

so sorry to hear this. my friends dd got diagnosed at 3 and is now a v healthy 10yr old. thinking of you all xxxx

motherbeyond · 29/12/2009 09:50

oh god,i just can't even begin to imagine your pain.i have a dd the same age and don't even want to think about how you must be feeling.lots of love to you all,and a speedy recovery for your dd.i think the idea of a 2nd xmas is great by the way.i know celebrating is probably the last thing you feel like doing,but i bet dd would love it?

ChunkyChick · 29/12/2009 11:10

God so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You must feel so torn between two worlds now you're about to give birth again. Hoping your little girl makes a good recovery. I hope it's not too much of a cliche, but the vast majority of little ones with leukemia do make a full recovery.

JoseyM · 29/12/2009 11:36

I am so so sorry. Sitting here with tears rolling down my cheeks thinking about what you have got ahead of you and how unfair life can be. I am 39 weeks and cannot imagine having the emotional trauma of what you have to deal with on top of trying to prepare for another little arrival.

I pray that you will have strength and a straight forward labor and delivery so that you can recover quickly for your little girl.

Hopefully having a new brother or sister will take your DD's mind off of things and she can be looking forward to meeting him/her.

I wish there was something that i could say to make it all better for you. Make sure you come on when you need Mumsnetter support! I am sure we will all be here for you!

xxxxxx

Mama2b5 · 29/12/2009 11:54

Woodhj - My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours
i cant imagine what your going through or how your dealing with the news, but think positive that she will get the best treatment and that she has your strength to see her through!

I pray that you and your family all rally together and she pulls the strength from you all to fight this!

you are not alone we on Mums net are all here for you, please take care of you and LO you are 37 weeks so can go into labour because of the stress!im not goin to say dont worry just be good to yourself!

All the best xx

ronshar · 29/12/2009 12:01

Oh my. What a hard time for you and your family.
Take time out to just relax and deal with the things that are in front of you now. Dont worry about the future, it can take care of itself.

Accept help. From where ever it comes from.
The time with both your DD and your new baby is precious. Use every second of it to enjoy them.

Remember we are all here for you when you want to scream, cry, shout, or just be there when you need a shoulder.

Good luck to your brave little girl.

Deemented · 29/12/2009 12:31

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this, and i so hope that your daughter isn't feeling too ill at the moment.

A friend of mine has a little boy who is recovering from leaukeima, he was first diagnosed at 6 months, and is now a busy happy 2 year old - these past few months have been far from easy, but they have come through, and so can you.

One thing my friend did, and i don't know if this may be an option for you, was when she had her next baby, they harvested the stem cells in her umbilical cord just in case her son may need further treatment. Do you think that could be something practical you could do when your new baby comes?

I wish you well, and shall look out for updates.

Original poster

woodhj · 29/12/2009 15:46

Thank you everyone. I have checked this site everyday since finding out i was pregnant and could think of anywhere else to put that i am scared of the cancer and being a mum again to newborn baby.
Im shattered all the time even with a full night sleep and cant imagine how hard its going to be with very little sleep and a daughter who is fighting for attention because of the baby without the side efects of the steriodsmaking her moody and naughty.

My husband is brilliant and helps whenever he can but the reality is we struggled finacialy before the cancer and his wage was made up mostly by over time and bonus. He has to work for us to pay the mortgage.

DD at the moment can not walk as the drugs are stripping every bit of energy she has and they give up underneath her. 37 weeks with a very big bump and a 3.5 year old to carry around is going to take its toll.

I worried about my hair or stretch marks a week ago, it makes you realise whats important in life x

OP posts:

strawberrycornetto · 29/12/2009 15:50

Hello. I can't offer any practical advice but really wanted to send you and your DD my best wishes.

bogie · 29/12/2009 15:52

So sorry to hear this, I can't even imagine what you are going through, I have a 3yo ds and it is soo scary when they are ill, I really hope she responds well to the treatment.
Life can be so hard at times but stay strong x

MABS · 29/12/2009 15:58

I am so very sorry, is her hospital near you?

NancyDrewRocks · 29/12/2009 15:58

I can't offer any practical advice but I just wanted to wish you all the strength in the world and the very very best for the future.

PoppyIsApain · 29/12/2009 16:00

Thinking of your little girl and your family, how horrible x

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 29/12/2009 16:03

so sorry to hear this, there is another lady whos dd was dx on 25th. Where in UK are you? Do you know what sort yet?
If your struggling for money you can ask your macmillian nurse to apply for a grant to get you though the next few months, they never turn people down. Also you should be able to claim DLA whe she is home, which should help.
There is a lot of support out there online when your settled. Its got to be a terrible shock.
have you got much family support? did they say how long treatment will be for? what sort of stage?
feel free to ask on here.

Original poster

woodhj · 29/12/2009 16:35

I have just posted something on the lady abroad who's dd was diagnosed on 25th. I am 2 hours away from sheffield hospital which is a distance but could be worse.

DD has ALL and treatment will be for two years she has already started her chemo and involves apprx 2 trips a week to sheffield and one overnight stay.

We have fantastic support from our family and we could have not got through last week without them. We litteraly arrived in sheffield in the prevoius days clothes and no sleep they all got our clothes and food etc and brought it to us.

I dont like leaving her side while she cant walk so am sat next to her now while she sleeps. At least im resting.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2