Hello, my first post here. I’m female, 66 years old and feeling anxious. Had blood tests done yesterday as well as x-rays on hips. Last few weeks hips and upper legs hurt when I walk, I’m constantly tired and have a painful gum infection too. Seeing a Maxillofacial surgeon next week for a biopsy. Bloods and X-ray results this coming Saturday 18th but worrying myself silly in the meantime as my dad’s three siblings died from blood cancers, and I fear it. Sorry for everyone affected by this but I feel inspired too, after reading your posts.
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Hello @Cazzita25
Welcome to our Forum. Thank you for posting today.
Often waiting for results is very anxiety provoking and particularly when, like yourself, you have ongoing symptoms and some known family history. It is good to know you have already had x-rays, blood tests and have an appointment for a biopsy.
In case it is reassuring, many blood cancers aren’t hereditary, but it is thought they are when several members of the same family are diagnosed with a blood cancer. It’s thought that this is due to being exposed to the same ‘lifestyle factors’. Lifestyle factors can be exposure to chemicals, radiation, tobacco smoke, etc when all living together.
We do have an informative page on our website, which lists the symptoms of blood cancers Blood Cancer symptoms, and may be helpful reading, and in prompting questions for your GP.
Do let your GP know your fears, honesty is the best policy, and hopefully they can clearly explain your blood results to you, to help reassure you.
If you are loosing sleep, do let them know that too.
Please keep us posted on how are you doing.
Take care, Heidi.
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Hello @Cazzita25 a great big welcome to our forum.
@Heidi_BloodCancerUK has given you a brilliant response.
You seem to have so much going on at the moment, but also so much waiting and not knowing.
I can tell from your post what is really playing on your mind and that is your family history which @Heidi_BloodCancerUK has addressed.
Make sure you raise it at your appointments.
I like to write down all my fears, questions and practicalities so I pleasantly assertively cover everything and receive answers.
I am also female and was diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) at 53yrs old, 19 yrs ago, and my 70th birthday was my best birthday ever.
We are all very unique, very complex, beings.
I think it is very natural worrying yourself silly, I think it is the not having answers and not knowing.
Perhaps the best thing you can do is to really look after yourself and be very kind to yourself. Please do let us know how you get on.
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Hi @Cazzita25 and welcome to the forum. I can see you have already had some great advice from @Heidi_BloodCancerUK and @Erica.
It is only natural to worry when waiting for test results. It’s just so hard isn’t it!
Have all those questions written down and ready and keep posting. You can say how it really is for you on here and we all understand.
Please keep us updated.
Sending lots of love X
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Thank you so much for your warm welcome, I really do appreciate it. I have not mentioned blood cancer to my doctor yet but regardless of the results on Saturday, I will tell her my fears anyway. I am not exactly losing sleep but my sleep is erratic: staying up too late/getting up too early etc so it is disturbed. Thankfully, I am not working at the moment (I’m a teacher). I will let you know results as they come in. Thanks again, Heidi. x
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Thank you so much, Erica, for your reassuring response. Yes, it’s the not knowing and the imagination running riot! I am looking after myself and my husband is being an absolute darling and very concerned too. I think the family history is definitely making this worse. My fabulous Aunt died 3 years ago at 74, she was absolutely fine one day, playing with her baby grandson on the swing, felt unusually tired for a few days after, then felt like she was breathless and died within 10 days of playing with her grandson. It was so shocking as she was so healthy looking and had absolutely no symptoms whatsoever. One brother died at 46 and the other at 80, also of Leukemia. My dad died of lung cancer at 70 but he was a heavy smoker so not surprising. Yes, it is scaring me and last night my wrist and forearm were really aching inside so the fear is growing but who knows, maybe I am imagining it all! Thanks again. x
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Thank you so much Nichola for your welcome. Yes, very hard waiting for results, we naturally think the worse for some silly reason but I guess it is to prepare ourselves, just in case. I will take on Erica’s advice and write questions down as I know we can be forgetful in a doctor’s room. Thank you all for understanding and I’m sorry that you do know what it is like as you have all been through it. On the other hand, you are all survivors and that is fantastic and so reassuring too. Thanks again. x
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Hello Erica,
Blood tests all normal. Hip x-ray all good too so it looks like I might be worrying for nothing. I have my gum biopsy tomorrow and have to have an ultrasound on the hips next month. Will let you know how those go too. Thank you.
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Oh @Cazzita25 good news.
Please do let us know how your gum biopsy and ultrasound go.
Celebrate the little wins and look after yourself.
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That’s really good news. I hope everything else goes ok. Keep us updated x
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Hello ladies, unfortunately, the biopsy shows that I have squamous cell cancer in my gums. I am so shocked, it really is unbelievable when you are told you have cancer, isn’t it? So, a CT scan this week to see if it’s localised or not, then surgery and treatment. Thank you. xx
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Oh @Cazzita25 yes, you must be shocked, please do let us know how your CT scan goes.
Really look after and be kind to yourself and please do keep posting xx
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Thank you. It’s all booked for today (I’m in Australia at the moment) and results tomorrow, so nervous but I know it will be better to know what’s happening and just go for it. Thanks so much.
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It really is unbelievable and a lot to take in. Your thoughts must be in overdrive!
Please - when you feel ready - let us know how you get on. Will be thinking of you X
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Hello Nichola and Erica, so, I have Stage 1 squamous cell cancer. I am so grateful that is it caught early. However, I have to go through a 7 hour operation on Dec 13th to remove the cancer which means losing some of my jaw and teeth. Scary! I met my surgeon today though and he was fabulous and I feel that I am in good hands.
Thanks so much. x
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Ok - so you have a plan, albeit a scary one! So much to take in, in such a small amount of time.
I’m so glad you medical team are good. It makes such a difference to your journey.
Remember the support line is there if you need it and we will keep checking in X
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That is so kind of you, especially as I don’t have a blood cancer, I shouldn’t even be on here. Thank you, I will let you know how the operation goes. Bless you all. x
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Yes, @Cazzita25 I am so glad that you have a diagnosis. Although to actually hear the words and treatment must be scary.
So Dec 13 will be your operation day.
Doesn’t it make a difference to feel your surgeon is fabulous, you are in good hands.
Yes, when you can please do let us know how you get on, I will have my fingers and toes crossed for you.
Really be kind and look after yourself.
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I will try, thank you so much Erica. x
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How are things @Cazzita25?
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