If you’ve just watched EastEnders and found yourself searching online about bone marrow tests or Denise’s symptoms, you may well have ended up here - and you’re very welcome, whether it’s your first visit or you’re already familiar with Blood Cancer UK and our wonderful online community.
We might not yet know what Denise’s results will show, but that place she’s in right now - the waiting, the not knowing - is something many people in this forum community understand very well.
Worried about Symptoms?
If you’ve been watching what Denise has been going through recently and wondering about your own symptoms or the symptoms of someone else you know and love, you’ll find straightforward information on our website.
Please remember that if you’re not sure whether to be concerned, your GP is always the right first call.
Want to know more about bone marrow biopsies?
It’s often a GP referral that leads to further investigation, like the bone marrow aspirate Denise has been sent for in tonight’s episode. If you’d like to find out more about what a bone marrow aspirate involves, you can read about it here.
Need someone to talk to?
There are plenty of conversations already happening here on the forum, and people who understand what it’s like to be searching for answers. If any of it feels relevant to you, we’d love for you to join us.
And if something you saw tonight brought up anything particularly difficult, our Support Services team (staffed by specialist blood cancer nurses) is here for you. You can call us free on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or email support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
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Tonight, Denise got the news that she has blood cancer.
However that revelation made you feel - whether it felt familiar, or raw, or something you weren’t expecting, many people in this community know exactly what that moment is like.
Want to know more about blood cancer?
You can find out more about blood cancer on our website, and if you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with blood cancer, you’ll find information about what to expect next here. You can also head to the Recent Diagnosis area of this forum.
Need someone to talk to?
As well as the members of our lovely community forum, our Support Services team is here too, free on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or by email at support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
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Tonight, Dr Clarke gave Denise - and us - more of the picture. We now know that Denise has acute myeloid leukaemia (Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML')).
Hearing what a diagnosis means in clinical terms can be a lot to take in when you’re sitting across a desk from someone and trying to understand everything they’re saying whilst also attempting to process such life-changing news.
Want to know more about Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML')?
If you’d like to understand more about Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML') - what it is, how it’s treated, and what to expect -our website is a good place to start.
You can also read our piece, written by Marie who has firsthand experience, oncoping with a sudden diagnosis of AML.
Need to talk about blood cancer?
As well as leaning on our amazingly supportive forum community, you can also talk to our Support Services nurses, who are on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or at support@bloodcancer.org.uk
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In the latest episode, it seems like Denise has been keeping a distance from the news of her Acute myeloid leukaemia ('AML') diagnosis. It can look like avoidance or stubbornness from the outside. But for anyone who’s been in that position, it’s more complicated than that; sometimes you need a little more time to be yourself before everything changes.
Finding the emotional side of a diagnosis hard to navigate?
Whether you’re the person affected or someone who loves them, our ‘Mind and Emotions’ information might be helpful, as might our guide to supporting a family member or friend with blood cancer.
Need someone to talk to?
Our Support Services team are also here to talk, and we support loved ones as well as those with a diagnosis. Call us for free on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or email support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
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In last night’s episode, Dr Clarke talked Denise and Jack through what induction chemotherapy involves. It’s the kind of conversation that can feel very matter-of-fact in a clinical setting - but carry an enormous amount of weight for the people in the room.
Facing intensive treatment, or supporting someone who is?
You’ll find information about chemotherapy for AML on our website, including what to expect and how to prepare. If your own diagnosis is different to Denise’s, we have broader information about blood cancer treatment and what it involves here too.
Need some support from others who ‘get it’?
Many (if not all!) of us on the forum have navigated these kinds of decisions and conversations. If you want to be part of a community of others who can relate to your experiences, we’d love for you to join us.
And if you’d value some 1:1 time with our Support Services team (staffed by specialist blood cancer nurses), you can call us free on 0808 2080 888 (option 1) or email support@bloodcancer.org.uk.
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Thank you for continuing to use the latest episode to raise awareness of the treatments available
It’s good to see blood cancer getting more exposure.
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