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What happened initially
The bug I hadn’t been able to shake has turned out to be serious. I went to my GP feeling non specifically not good on Tuesday 21st Oct. She sent me for bloods the next day. I had 8 missed calls on the Weds evening, but I was in bed, so they sent an ambulance. I was asleep, James nearly didn’t answer the door because who double rings after midnight? And our doorbell actually worked, which is a mystery in itself. Anyway, that was a bit of a shock.
Anyway, the bloods were really odd and they didn’t know what was what in a&e. (I think they initially thought I had a bad infection) So haematology gave me a bone marrow biopsy and yes, it has turned out to be leukaemia. Now, the study and treatment of leukaemia has advanced hugely in recent years. They test to molecular and gene level, so my treatment is tailored very specifically to me. Leukaemia basically means your immune system doesn’t work so I’m in a private room for infection control. Mine is acute myeloid leukaemia and a ton of care is being taken over by wellbeing.
Where I am now
I’ve just finished my first round of chemo. That was a bit of a battering. I cut my hair off back to a pixie cut (see pic) at the hospital before chemo started (this surprised everyone on my ward, apparently there’s usually a lot more denial) which I’m very grateful for, because it’s mostly fallen out already.
After chemo most of my treatment has been zapping the various bugs that crop up, or that they find with the ct scans etc. We harbour all sorts of beasties normally that a functioning immune system keeps in check. Well, I don’t have one at all, but I have a massive team being one for me.
I’ve been in hospital since that night i was brought here in the ambulance. I’m holding up. Obviously it’s freaky, but I have a lot of support and I’m being very well looked after.
Things you can do.
- Don’t google! If you look leukaemia shit up on the internet you’ll go nuts. Let’s just deal with facts direct from my specialists about me specifically.
- Please don’t ask me how I am all the time. It’s exhausting dealing with all this. I know people want to know what’s happening, so updates are posted to a Facebook group run on my behalf. I’m not on it.
- Give blood if you are able.
- If you really feel called to, join the bone marrow donation registry.
- Just be normal. Send me messages about your normal things in your own life. And silly memes. Are you insomniac, shift worker or live in a different time zone? Nights are harder, so knowing who might be around to send stupid memes to and have a light text chat on WhatsApp is good.
- This isn’t a secret, tell whoever you think needs to know.
No dramatics. Fuss free zone please. This is just a disease, I’m getting very good treatment. It’s not WW3.
/ update
Lots of love xxx.
