Merry Christmas!!!
I am about to start consolidation chemotherapy for Leukemia, I see my consultant tomorrow and want to discuss being an outpatient. I was just wondering if anyone has any experience completing this as an outpatient and if their consultant was happy for them to do so. Mine is aware this is what I want as I really struggle mentally during inpatient stays however last I saw him he would not commit to an answer.
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Hi @nbk112. I can’t help but I hope somebody else will be able to share their experience. I think it’s great that your consultant is aware of your anxieties. I feel this hopefully means, whatever decision he makes, will be based on all of the information he has and what he feels is best for you, both personally, but with the best medical outcome. It sounds like you have a good relationship with him? Has he been supportive of your anxiety in the past? Let us know how you get on tomorrow x
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Hi @nbk112, @Nichola75 has sent to a brilliant reply.
I know you mentally struggle during inpatient stays (but you have been wonderful and you have achieved it).
I would suggest the practical things like writing down all your fears, questions, thoughts, feelings and practicalities of why you want to do your treatment as an outpatient. Make sure you understand the replies. Take time to consider and then make a balanced decision.
Do you have a CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist) and/or GP that would support you with outpatient treatment?
Then please let us know how you get on.
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Hi @nbk112 ,
How are you doing? Merry Christmas to you too! Hope you’re doing okay,
Did you get a chance to talk to your consultant yet?
@Nichola75 and @Erica have given some really helpful suggestions above, as Nichola said, having your consultant be aware of the impact of this on your mental health can really encourage more open discussion as to what is most suitable for you as an individual. And as Erica brought up, writing things down can also be such a useful way of getting all your thoughts out and can definitely take the pressure off you trying to remember everything when you speak to them.
@nbk112 in it’s case helpful, I’m also just sharing our booklet on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), which possibly you may have seen before? : Acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia-ALL-Blood-Cancer-UK-info-booklet.pdf but if you have a look on page 58, we talk through what people can expect during consolidation therapy for ALL and the possibility of some of the treatment being given as an outpatient. Hope this is helpful and please do keep reaching out!
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Hi @nbk112. Just checking in to see how you are. Hoping you have a plan that you are happy with x
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Yes! Thank you, my consultant has said I can be an outpatient as long as I am medically fit to be.
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Hi @nbk112. That’s such good news for you! Glad your consultant took your views on board. When does your consolidation treatment start?
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Oh @nbk112, that’s brilliant news that you can be an outpatient, please let us know how you get on.
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