My husband (65) was diagnosed with Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in April of this year had chemotherapy in May and in remission in July. He is currently in hospital with severe hip/lower back pain and breathing difficulties. Been told his platelet count is 14 and hg is low, had a bone biopsy yesterday. Can it come back that quick? He was due a stem cell transplant in 2 week’s time.
Dear @NickyD2
Thank you for posting and welcome to the forum.
I am so sorry to hear that your husband is so unwell in hospital. May I ask when his last chemotherapy was?
The doctors and nurses will be looking for a cause of his pain and breathing difficulties, does he have signs of infection as this can affect the blood counts particularly when they are fragile post chemotherapy.
Does your husband have a Clinical Nurse Specialist you can call to gain support and insight into the investigations? It is impossible not to worry as you have both been through so much.
Wishing your husband well and do please get in touch with the Hospital team so they can keep you up to date with all the tests and your husband’s condition.
Take care
Gemma
Hi @NickyD2 I am glad that you have found our forum.
It has been quite a year for you both and your post shows how much you care about your husband.
I am certainly not a medical person but from what I read on our forum there are no rules or certainties with blood cancers.
It sounds to me that you have some fears, questions and practicalities to write down for your husband and/or his medical ream.
Your husband is in hospital so perhaps try and take this opportunity to really look after yourself and please do keep posting.
The Blood Cancer UK support line is also there for you on 0808 2080 888
Sending my love to you both. I don’t have any medical answers but he is in the right place and getting care and that is definitely the most important thing.
Be really gentle with yourself and take it a moment at a time.
Hi @NickyD2.
I’m sorry that your husband is back in hospital. It must be a really worrying time for you all and you must have so many questions, especially with the planned stem cell transplant.
Please let us know how you are both doing and keep posting. We are all here for you
His last chemo in early June. We do have a nurse that I could tap in to but I always try and stay positive in front of him.
They are giving him some platelets tonight, so fingers crossed
Hi @NickyD2 from your wording ‘we do have a nurse’ I am wondering if it would be appropriate for you to ring the nurse, I don’t know?
I found our forum to be the one place that I could say how it really was for me and that others would understand, I reckon that it is hard work trying to keep a positive mask on
Be ever so kind to yourself, you must be exhausted
Dear @NickyD2
I just thought I would check in to see how your husband is doing? I hope you have managed to gain to insight into what is happening and are getting the support/information you need.
If you do need to talk, please do get in touch: Blood cancer information and support by phone and email | Blood Cancer UK
Kind regards
Gemma
Worst news ever today, my husband’s Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has come back with vengeance, he has been told he has a matter of weeks. Hospital trying to arrange rapid palliative care so he can come home, where he wants to be.
Oh my goodness @NickyD2 I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I hope they can make him comfortable and you can get him home soon. My thoughts are with your husband, yourself and your family. Take care Nicki x
Oh @NickyD2 I am so sorry, what a shock for you all.
Let’s hope the hospital can arrange rapid palliative care at home.
We are here for you so you can say how it really is for you, please do use us.
Sending you all my love and please do keep posting xxx
@NickyD2 I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve just been through this with my dad (82) and watching my mum lose her husband of 57 years was the hardest thing ever.
You’ve got a tough ride ahead of you but you will amaze yourself at how strong you are.
Everyone copes differently. I’m someone who likes to read and learn and prepare, talking to people who have been through it before. If that is also you and I can help by sharing our journey in any way then please do drop me a message.
We were fortunately offered so much help from various local services, but we chose what was best for us as a family. You may feel like you are being a burden or on the other hand you may feel like you have to accept everything offered. Neither is true. Just do what you feel is right.
You are not alone in this. Please do reach out here when you need to.
Oh @Ilona it is wonderful to hear from you.
You also highlight that it is is often not just one person who is affected by looking after and grieving for someone they love and care for and I find it is easy to experience situations from my side, but not realise others might experience situations very differently and neither are right or wrong, but need to be respected.
Thank you and it would be nice to have an update on how you are sometime, if it feels right.
Dear @NickyD2,
I am so very sorry to read your devastating news. I can only imagine how difficult this is for you all.
Please know we are here for you, both on the forum and on the support line, if at any stage you would like to talk to one of us our phoneline is open and we we will do all we can to help and support you, our number is 0808 2080 888.
I really hope you can get home as soon as possible and are fully supported through the process.
Take care of each other,
Heidi J (Support Services Nurse)
Unfortunately my husband lost his battle this morning
Oh @NickyD2 I’m so sorry. It’s so horrible. My only advise is to feel whatever you are feeling, don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be surprised if you are irritated by people too (I certainly was…there’s just so many emotions). I hope you’ve got people around to support you.
I’m so sorry to hear this
Thoughts are with you and your family x
@NickyD2 I am so sorry to read this, our thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Please know we are here for you if you should need anything.
Take good care,
Heidi J (Support Services Nurse)
Hi @NickyD2.
Sending you and your family lots of love. Please remember we are all here for you
I am so sorry to hear your devastating news @NickyD2. Sending love to you