WBC count of 37 and leukemia, how bad is it?!
Question: I have a very close friend who has leukemia and so far all she has really said is that it does not look good for her and that her WBC is 37, if I recall correctly. She has gone through some treatments and is not handling it very well which is understandable.
I am afraid for her and concerned, what can I do or offer her in the way of support? Any and all advice would be welcome.
Answers: I have a very close friend who has leukemia and so far all she has really said is that it does not look good for her and that her WBC is 37, if I recall correctly. She has gone through some treatments and is not handling it very well which is understandable.
I am afraid for her and concerned, what can I do or offer her in the way of support? Any and all advice would be welcome.
Leukemia is a group of bone marrow diseases involving an uncontrolled increase in white blood cells (leukocytes).
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare cancer of the blood. It affects B cells, a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte). It affects men more often than women. The average age of onset is 55. Hairy cell leukemia is rare.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia is cancer of the bone marrow. CML can occur in adults (usually middle-aged) and children. The disease affects 1 to 2 people per 100,000 and accounts for 7 - 20% cases of leukemia. It is usually associated with a chromosome abnormality called the Philadelphia chromosome.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) causes a slow increase in the number of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow. The cancerous cells spread from the blood marrow to the blood, and can also affect the lymph nodes and other organs. CLL causes the bone marrow to fail and weakens the immune system. CLL primarily strikes adults. The average age of a patient with this type of leukemia is 70. It is rarely seen in people younger than 40.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer in which the body produces a large number of immature white blood cells (lymphocytes). These cells can be found in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs. ALL makes up 80% of childhood acute leukemias. Most cases occur in children between ages 3 and 7. The disease may also occur in adults.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is cancer that starts inside bone marrow, the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. The cancer grows from cells that would normally turn into white blood cells. Acute means the disease develops quickly. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common types of leukemia among adults. This type of cancer is rare under age 40. It generally occurs around age 65.
I honestly don't know anyone going through this to offer any advice but i'm sure that you will get advice from those who know what they are talking about and who have been through similar situations,all I have to offer is my wishes to you and your friend...xxx
My father rest his soul died of this in '92... and i am sorry that your friend is going through this. But there isnt anything u can do except stand by her.. u cant perform miracles for her but just be her friend to the end..Its horrible for a friend to see another one die.. and i hate it for you. You hate to see someone die but thats life.. Just keep being the kind faithful friend you are now. She needs friends more now. Thats all I can say..Saw my dad die... and mom less than a year later. So death isnt new to me. I know u feel helpless but dont show despair to her.. never let that hopelessness show through your eyes..Just hold her hand and show that you care.Thats what they need most of all.. and thats LOVE.
If she is in your area, you can go and visit her and bring her things that she will enjoy, but the choice is limited because of the disease and the treatment. Visiting and talking is important. Talking to her, letting her know that you love her. Nothing spectacular, all things human. Things that you very well know how to do. If she lives far, you can phone every day and talk. Apparently, she is not afraid of talking about leukemia, so don't be afraid to talk about it yourself.
Well, just be yourself and you will help tremendously. It is just important that she does not feel that friends are letting her down.
xxx