Hi not been on for a while.
My husband was feeling unwell a year ago. Blood tests showed raised levels for cancer markers. They first said his prostate was slightly enlarged, but GP felt nothing to worry about! He is 58. Further tests carried on just before Christmas told it was Essential thrombocythemia (ET) blood cancers levels have sat around 900 and told to take asprin and wait and watch. Blood tests every 3 months. Few months ago he was rushedbin with double pneumonia. He recovered. But hasvstill been struggling with tiredness and looks generally unwell to me. Few weeks ago told they ran a blood test and he has PSA levels of 4.8 showing indicator of prostate cancer. Waiting for a scan appointment then depending biopsy following. I have read other cancers can also have high platelets. Has anyone eles had experience of focusing on the blood cancer and missing other types of cancer?
Hi @Sandy63 I hope someone else will be able to share their experiences for you.
It is difficult when so many different conditions share generic symptoms.
I will copy your post to the Blood Cancer UK nurses for you @BloodCancerUK_Nurses but it sounds a good question for your husband to ask his consultants.
I always make sure all my medical people (including pharmacists, dentists, optician, hairdressers etc) are aware of every symptom, diagnosis and medication I am on too.
Look after yourselves and please do keep posting, I reckon you are a very caring partner
Hello there @Sandy63
Thank you for posting and I am so sorry to hear that your husband has been so unwell and is going through further testing. May I ask whether he is still on Aspirin for his Essential thrombocythemia (ET)? Does the Haematology team know that he was admitted with pneumonia and has been feeling so unwell? If they do not know I would recommend calling them to give them an update.
It must be very worrying for you seeing him go through all this. It is understandable that you ask about missing other cancers. May I ask if your husband has had symptoms related to Prostate cancer and what were the raised cancer markers you mentioned at the start of your post? I would recommend speaking to your husband’s GP or Haematologist about this. As @Erica mentions, it is good to talk through all your concerns especially after your husband has been so poorly. If it would be useful to talk to us, please do give us a call: Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK
Kind regards
Gemma
Thank you Erica as always for your supportive replies. My job is all about working with social workers and care Co’s to ensure the best outcome. This is so close so my instincts kick in. More so with a loved one you see the change in the man he was 18months ago. I am calling his care coordinator tomorrow to ensure all departments are talking to each other. Will keep you updated x
Hi Gemma. Yes he had raised PSA September 2023 3.7ug/L and told his prostate was slightly enlarged. But they felt this was not the cause of platelet levels. So no further investigation. He was told Essential thrombocythemia (ET) was the reason and yes still on only asprin his levels for Essential thrombocythemia (ET) 3 months ago was 987. His new PSA reading is 4.6ug/L which as a 58 year old told high. We did tell Heamatatology about the pneumonia, they said no link! He is so tierd all the time. And i have noticed a his face colour is very grey. Thank you so much for your reply. I will call his care Co tomorrow to see if we can look at them sharing information with each department.
Update i have waited for a call back from clinical nurses in hematology which didn’t happen so called to speak to my husband’s consultant’s secretary who has now taken the information regarding the prostate investigation and type 2 diabetes she has said she will pass it on to the team. Care coordinator also not helpful when i asked could she update the two teams! Told best if i do it. At least i have got the updates to the team now.
Everything seems a battle sometimes @Sandy63, but you did well.
Look after yourselves and please do keep posting