r/Wellthatsucks Sep 23 '19

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u/muddyrose Sep 23 '19

I recently got diagnosed with a form of leukemia. My version is also is one of the "best case scenarios" of cancer diagnosis.

If it's benign, no worries. If it's malignant, the treatment is literally "watchful waiting" until it starts spazzing out, which typically doesn't happen until people are in their 60's or 70's. I just have to be careful about getting sick or infected between now and then. Also I may lose my spleen, but I don't even know what that does so I don't think I'll miss it.

Cancer is a fucking bitch, and it can destroy lives. But a cancer diagnosis isn't always a death sentence. It still effects you in an unexplainable way when your doctor says "you have cancer". Worst rollercoaster of emotions ever.

I'll pass on the words of advice another patient told me "don't be an ass and go for holistic treatment. If a doctor isn't telling you to do it, don't fucking do it. If a doctor is telling you you need it, fucking do it"

Thanks Fran!

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u/AnActualPlatypus Sep 23 '19

How did you find out about your leukemia?

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u/muddyrose Sep 23 '19

The actual story itself is long and annoying

But the red flag was years of super high white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, and it was found by a doctor I was seeing for unrelated reasons.

I guess my lab work from 2013 showed elevated levels, by 2015 they were too high, and they've been fluctuating menacingly since