Living with Leukemia: Coping with Family Silence

Hi Charla. I’m so sorry you are going through this but I’m glad you found us. Hopefully others with a similar diagnosis will connect with you soon. In the meantime check out some of the other groups like Parents with Cancer or Mental Health and Mindfulness. Those groups host people with all different types of cancer but we all experience similar challenges and you might find faster connection there. 💛Suzanne (Community Moderator)

Yes my mother thinks that l could use therapy and medication, l have other medications that l should be taking, but my stomach is so funny when l take l get sick . Don't know what to do, Sometimes I have a appetite and sometimes I don't have any appetite at all help.

Hi Charla I was diagnosed with CMML . The prognosis for you is better than for me. Moffit & MSK both recommended Stem cell transplant but I have a 50-60% chance of not surviving. I’m 73. I see a naturopathic dr ( who is also an oncologist and hematologist) I also see a hematologist for 11 years now when my platelets first dropped. I take Dopletet, papaya extract and dandelion root and my platelets are now at 102 ( last summer they were at 32) I also take Berberine, Green Tea, & turmeric capsules. In addition, I take vit D and vit c. I drink 4 ounces of carrot juice 2x daily & take a wheat grass shot. My hemoglobin has gone from 9.7 to 10.7. They take my blood monthly Hoping for strength for you. If family is numb, try venting here or maybe seek out a friend or therapy.

Hello Charla. I am 76 and was diagnosed with CLL six years ago. Regular blood tests like you, but other than that I feel fine and no treatment recommended yet. Watch and Wait. Make the most of everyday and do the things you love. Kimi

Kim T It's hard sometimes l would never ever thought this would happen, plus there are watching my left breast because l have fatty tissue. They said it could turn to cancer 😔 go on the 15th for another mammogram l'm scared

🙏🏼for you charla

Same to u Joanie God bless

Charla, it’s okay to be scared. It’s the only body we have. But think how fortunate we are to be living in this time. Advancement’s and treatments are improving daily! I was really shook up six years ago after being diagnosed. But now I don’t let CLL get me down. Be grateful for testing and good doctors. Be sure to have a doctor you like and trust, and one who communicates clearly with you. You’re in my prayers. (Oh yes, and praying daily really helps! Over time you’ll trust in God’s plan for you.)

Kim T Thank u yes l like my doctor , when l had my last mammogram they my leave notes where big/( l have always said that God doesn't give you anything that he thinks u can handle)

Hi Charla, do u remember what your initial symptoms were? Stay strong, wishing u the best.

Kim, hope you received good results from your mammogram. 🙏 🙏

Charla, its tough period. My stomach hasn't been good for 10 yrs now after having AML. On bad days, I will have a bottle of Ensure, chocolate, it puts a smile on my face. Good luck.

I know l have my mammogram on the 5th ugh

I have CLL for over 6 years now. At first, they monitored it. Now I'm on a chemo medication called Brukinsa (about 3 years), and it's got my numbers near normal.

Family silence around a cancer diagnosis can feel incredibly isolating, especially when living in the same household. Many people in this community have shared similar experiences where loved ones struggle to know what to say or how to process the news, often leading them to avoid the topic entirely. Consider having a gentle conversation about how their support would be meaningful, as sometimes family members stay quiet because they're scared or don't want to say the wrong thing.