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Low WBC, Low Platelets, Low RBC, Large cells - is it always Leukemia?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Sep 23 6:01pm | Replies (94)Comment receiving replies
I do understand that I need to try to be as normal as possible until my diagnosis on 8/11, or I'll be weakened before starting any treatment. The doctor said it could be Leukemia but needs the bone marrow results to make a diagnosis. I asked if that was cancer, he said yes. I replied so I have 5 years to live, he replied 5-10 years.
If I may ask, why is the internet filled with such low percentages of living 5 more years after being diagnosed?
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Leukemia encompasses so many types and variables. Each can have their own treatments and outcomes. And then there are the considerations of individual patient factors like age, overall health, co-morbidities, genetic markers…all of these can influence survival outcomes. The 5 year averages don’t encompass all possible outcomes for leukemia patients and they often don’t factor in patients receiving treatment.
Honestly, I know how scary and overwhelming the thoughts of having leukemia can be. At this point, you don’t even have a diagnosis yet, which allows your thoughts to explode with all the worse case possibilities! Leukemia and blood conditions is such a broad area. That’s why I’m encouraging you to not go surfing and looking for answers for questions without specific focus.
I’d like to share my favorite quote by an unknown author. It resonated with me early on:
“Fear does not stop death. It stops life
And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles.
It takes away today’s peace.”
So please, try to focus on your new grand baby, art, exercising, reading, nature walks…let yourself focus on life right now. Not on something you don’t know.
Does that make sense?