Sister in the hospital

sopraffina · October 2012

My sister was in a car accident when she was 19 and is now 26. She's been having migraines for years, among other problems. My uncle had to take her to the ER on Monday, and she's been going back and forth to different doctors. Today, they admitted her into the hospital. Her white blood cell count is really high, and they said they're "almost 100% positive" that it's leukemia.

We won't have any test results back for a couple of days. I've been looking online for statistics, but obviously I have no idea what I'm looking at. I'm most worried about my mother. Besides losing our youngest sister at birth, she had to deal with my sister's accident and recovery. She's going to be in the nuthouse soon. Sorry this isn't coherent. I'd ask if anyone knows anything about leukemia, but I really hope that none of you do.

anastassiiat · October 2012

Oh I'm so sorry about your sister. I will pray that the results come back negative and that it is not leukemia.

cnf2013 · October 2012

I'll definitely have your family in my thoughts and keep my fingers crossed for you. Hopefully it's not leukemia. There a lot of different things that can cause a white blood cell count to soar, so hopefully they can quickly rule that out and move on to les scary alternatives. Maybe try calling your county public health department or local American Cancer Society. Those places should be able to provide you with some information and statistics and relieve some of the questions and fears.

sssdee · October 2012

Sending positive thoughts your way for you and your family!!

rmp4996 · October 2012

Sending thoughts, prayers, and hugs your way. Hope she is ok and you get some good news.

emilyb213 · October 2012

Aw...sending positive thoughts your way!!

I know it's easier said than done, but until you get definitive test results back from the doctor, try not to borrow worry. I hope everything turns out okay for your sister...you know we're always here if you need to talk.

Samela20 · October 2012

just to help eas your mind until the tests come back-- the number one cause of a high WBC is not leukemia- it's an infection. They'll know if it's an infection if they did a test called a blood culture- takes up to 5 days to result... hopefully they did one of those... So lets all pray she just has a bad infection that can be treated easily!!

cnf2013 · October 2012

My first thought was infection as well. It seems presumptuous to jump right to leukemia, so there must have been another factor involved that made them think that. Otherwise I'd almost say it's mean and uncompassionate to drop that bomb without being sure when sooooo many other things can cause elevated WBC counts.

lodonnell616 · October 2012

One of my roommates from college was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2011. She had been feeling bad with random various symptoms for a while but could chalk it up to other things. The whole process was very scary, but I'm happy to report in August 2012 she finally recovered and started work again. I can understand what you're going through.

Like others have said, it might not necessarily be Leukemia but if it is, my T&P go out to you and your sister.

cadamus · October 2012

My thoughts and prayers are with your family . I have a friend who foung out right after high school that she had it. And she has been good for 5 years now.

sopraffina · October 2012

Thanks everybody. We're trying not to worry until we hear something. Maybe it's good that we don't know enough about it to worry.

SpringintheCity · October 2012

I'm so sorry you and you're family are going through this! I hope it's not as serious as it could be. My thoughts and prayers are with your sister!

lovefuzzies · October 2012

HUGS!!! I'll keep your family in my prayers.

ashlidie · October 2012

You just made my heart sink... I am so sorry but I am truly praying for the best possible news. My donation favors are to the leukemia and lymphoma society (I did these things: http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/diy-wedding-favor-donation-cards/ )

I lost my dear uncle 3 and a half months ago to lymphoma (he was basically another dad). My FI's grandfather had leukemia for over a decade, until a random bout of meningitis quickly took him away from us. I know a lady at my job who has leukemia and has had it for almost 10 years as well, and she is still at work looking great as ever honestly. If the worst happens, just know that it truly is not a death sentence, the survival rate at 5 years is quite high, and her chances are greatly increased at such a young age.

For now, just don't worry until you can know for sure. I honestly know the exact feeling you have right now, when they found my uncle's tumor and we were waiting to see if it was cancer or not. Hang in there, you've got lots of prayers!

Mikesgal419 · October 2012

Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your whole family.

sopraffina · October 2012

My mother sat with my sister ALL DAY in case the doctor came in to give her any news. When nothing happened by 5pm, she went out to dinner with my stepfather. We knew the next few days would probably be hectic, so she needed to relax a bit (plus, it's her 60th birthday today.)

That m---f--- doctor came in at 6pm while she was alone and told my sister (who has a traumatic brain injury anyway and doesn't always think straight AND is on morphine for the pain) that they are 80% sure it's cancer so they are moving her and starting chemo tonight.

I don't even know what to think because the doctor went home. Apparently, they don't know what type it is yet, but they don't want to wait any longer to treat it.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm not supposed to tell anybody. My mother isn't even telling my aunts (her sisters).

cnf2013 · October 2012

She should say no. 80% is not good enough. They need to be 100% certain and have the test results to back it up before they start pumping her full of poison. That was a d!ck move on the doctors part. If I was your sister I would go get a second opinion immediately before starting any treatment.

Good luck. I know you must be stressed out and upset. We're always here for you.

[Deleted User] · October 2012

PLEASE try to convince her to get a second opinion. I'll forever regret not convincing my mom to go for a second opinion sooner. She could still be alive. Yes, it was Ovarian and Uterine cancer that took my mom, not Leukemia, but I do have a good friend with it, he's had it for about 12 years now, doing fine as long as noone comes in the house with a virus.

sorry, rambling. but please, try to have her get a second opinion. When Doctors go back and forth like this, it's not good. My mom went for a second opinion, but not until about 4 months before she passed away...she was sick for only 13 months when she passed away in May. (to our knowledge, she was mis-diagnosed by her primary care physician at the very beginning as "you just need to lose weight and drink more water")

I really hope I don't scare you, I just want to make sure nothing that happened with my mom and my family EVER happens to anyone else.

Julie2013 · October 2012

That's some pretty heavy news, sopraffina. I am so sorry you, your sister, and your family have this heavy load right now.

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