I just found out my Mom was diagnosed with Leukemia this week. What now?

Question

She's 74 and feels fine with no symptoms and is going back for more blood tests. Will get the details from my dad. I'm an optimist but not like what I'm reading already. Is it possible to live with this without Chemo or drugs? Just learning what to expect. thanks

Answer 1

I suggest that you look online to reasearch treatment options. She is going to be scared and so are you but remind her to keep fighting. Your mom needs you now more than ever.

Answer 2

Do you know which kind of leukemia she has? My son has CML (chronic myleloid leukemia) and he takes a targeted therapy drug (used to take Gleevec, now takes a different one- there are several new study drugs) and it keeps his white counts in control without too many side effects (he had some side effects at the beginning but fewer now). He takes five pills a day and continues with his usual activities without any problems. He only had two weeks of chemo when he was first diagnosed (and he had a very high white blood cell count and an enlarged spleen).
Leukemia is becoming more and more treatable to the point where people can expect to survive a number of years, or even a lifetime, with proper treatment.
If your mother has CML or AML, I recommend this site to ask all the questions you have. There are several knowledgeable people there who have been a great support to many people recently diagnosed with leukemia.

http://www.newcmldrug.com

And please be careful about what you read online-- a HUGE number of articles are *very* outdated and will just scare you.
You need to face this with a strong sense of determination that your mom can and will be treated and go into remission.
Chances are very good that she will.

Answer 3

I am so sorry about your Mom. But, there is always hope. We
have a friend who is 90 and still lives a fairly active life. Another friend found out 10 years or so ago. She has been battling it and was told she could never have a child. She went into remission and the Dr. told her to go for it--she and her hubby have a lovely little boy. Another friend is being treated and is very active. Our friends are varying ages and I see hope for your Mom. Never-ever give up hope. She may need chemo. My hubby had Lymphoma, had chemo. He is 76 and doing well. Stand by her, love her, and try to keep a good sense of humour--it IS THE KEY--and trust God for the rest.

Answer 4

There is a type of slow growing leukemia common to elderly people. It can be treated with medication to support the white cell count that may cause fatigue, but this is much less stressful to the body than chemo and radiation. In this type of cancer, it is not unusual for the doctor to say aggressive treatment is worse than the disease. Please know that patients can live several years comfortably.
However, to be sure what sort of cancer your mother has and to understand the treatment, it would be really helpful to go with her to the doctor and to ask questions yourself. You should also take a notebook and write down what he or she says and information about medication, (name, dosage, how often and when it should be taken, etc.) Any patient can be anxious with this sort of diagnosis and writing things down saves everybody confusion later on.
If you are not able to go with her, ask her to give you a signed note addressed to the doctor allowing him to discuss her case with you. Because of the current medical privacy laws, even as her daughter, the doctor can tell you nothing about her case without her express permission.
You don't mention how healthy you dad is, but this might be the time to talk to them both about having them give you or someone else younger in the family, a medical power of attorney. That way if you need to step in to give them additional support, you can do so quickly without needing a judge to grant it on an emergency basis.
Sometimes people of their generation won't want to talk about certain things; incapacity, dying, funerals. It's a cultural thing, they don't want to think about it and they don't want to be a burden to their children. You need to be pro-active and tell them that you love them and you want them to have the care and support the WAY they want it. By discussing future things with you now, they will be making their care EASIER and less stressful for you. If you put these questions to them in this light, they will see that open and clear discussions will ease your concerns and allow you to focus on their current needs.

Answer 5

first off i am so sorry. but the statistics for survival of leukemia are high. my friend was diagnosed with leukemia in the 1st grade and survived. if she could then i know your mom can. not sure if she can live without chemo or drugs but whatever the dr suggest go with that. he knows whats best. my prayers are with you.

Answer 6

Keep your hopes up.
The doctors know what to do for her.
If they want to use chemo or drugs then she needs it.
Just be by her side and help her get through it.

Answer 7

Its ok she has lived her life just think positive she can recover and probably will :)

Answer 8

sorry to hear about that just countinue to suport her