Hi back again having been officially diagnosed yesterday. I can not believe how calm I am is this normal!
5 Likes
Hi @karencreasey,
I just wanted to pop on and say hello & reassure you that there is no ânormalâ or expected feelings that you should mirror. Your diagnosis is just that- itâs your individual circumstances that make up your CML.
We appreciate that a reaction at diagnosis can be so very different from person to person and often some people feel a strange sense of relief by just knowing what they are dealing with. Whilst for others it is the farthest feelings from that.
The emotions through any part of your diagnosis will not be linear and also at times probably feel quite unexpected. Having others sharing their own experiences Iâm sure will be super valuable for you so I am really pleased you have reached out on the forum.
Be kind you yourself and allow whatever feelings happen.
As always, do remember that we are here for you at any point should you wish to talk things through.
Take Care, Lauran
3 Likes
thank you so much Lauran. I think I had already resigned myself so thanks x
2 Likes
Hello @karencreasey
I am glad you have posted and kept us in the loop.
No matter how you are feeling, it will be ânormalâ for you.
Maybe your calmness is due to the fact that finally you have a diagnosis, after all the weeks of waiting and chasing results?
As Lauran has said, everyone is an individual and not everyone feels the same with a new diagnosis. You just need to remember that we are all here to support you, through whatever you are feeling and thinking.
Do keep in touch, and ring if you need/want to.
Look after yourself.
Best wishes, Heidi.
2 Likes
Hi @karencreasey sorry to hear that you have had a blood cancer diagnosis and thanks for letting us know.
As @LauranBloodCancerUK and @Heidi_BloodCancerUK have said so much better than I could there is is no ânormalâ or ârightâ or âwrongâ way to feel, think or act. However I think calmness or numbness is like the stages some people say of loss and bereavement and that it is a coping mechanism to get us through the first few days/weeks.
Please keep posting how you are doing
Just be very kind to yourself and take care
1 Like
Hello, I was diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) last Thursday. I had also resigned myself to this in the days leading up to the diagnosis. I have had waves of fear and terror. But I am also experiencing moments of complete calm where I sit and reflect on what truly matters to me. This forum has been an amazing life line along with surrounding myself with loving family. Wishing you the best. Marie.x
3 Likes
I think @MarieJ1979 you have just demonstrated what a ârollercoaster of emotionsâ is so well.
My emotions have been on high alert ever since my diagnosis 19 yrs ago. I can burst into tears with no warning and I still get anxious before and during all medical tests, results and appointments.
Look after yourself
2 Likes
Thank you Heidi. Still in shock to an extent. But I think I knew all along. I have to say my care from everyone in nhs has been second to none. x
3 Likes
Thank you Erica. I was diagnosed on Monday, yesterday was that âroller coasterâ. I felt happy empowered sad lost alone and cried all in the same day! But at least I now know what I am facing I am not in that âno mans or womans! landâ anymore. x But I am terrified of telling my son. He is 27 and is an actor living in London, he lost his father 12 years ago and we really only have eachother.
3 Likes
Thankyou Marie I really wish you the best my love x
2 Likes
Hello @karencreasey
Sorry to hear of your CML diagnosis. We are all here for you.
I hope you are managing to get some sleep and remember there is no right or wrong way to approach this.
I almost burnt my house down the day I was told I thought I was calm and could still make dinner how wrong I was ! Cue black smoke and smoke alarms!
The forum is a great place to reach out and there are tonnes of members to support you.
Take care and look after yourself.
2 Likes
Well, I guess that made her feel better knowing your in a state of panic every medical event, still, after 19 years. You need a hug.
1 Like
@Andrew3 I think each and every one of us on our forum deserves a great big hug, thanks.
1 Like
thankyou Jules, I know I am not alone and that means so much x
2 Likes
I have CML which was diagnosed six years ago.
My initial feelings were all about how to tell my husband when he came to the hospital where I had been overnight.
Then because it was Christmas in three days about how I could tell my three grown up children over Christmas.
Then it was about how I would be letting my daughter down with baby and toddler care.
Then I decided to be a âone week wonderâ and tell a few good friends who could spread the word so that everyone in my golf club knew so that I was not continually explaining.
I did not think about me at all.
(I had been a head of department in a Secondary School so I think now that I just went to my default âorganiserâ role.)
Once all that was over I was so fatigued because of the chemo that I just settled down to sleeping snoozing and pottering and let the world sort itself out!!
The childcare was taken over by the other wonderful grandmother who drove for 50 minutes to get here every week. I will be eternally grateful to her. I could rest easy.
I was then very lucky because despite it being a rare cancer I was told about another golf club member who had the exact same CML. She was 8 years ahead of me but became my phone and email buddy and was so faithful. I did not find this group until much later but she was a great support to me. I know that when Covid reared itâs ugly head we were a big support to each other all over again. This forum means so much to me and others of you, that can help us keep calm and listened to.
2 Likes