What to do when a friends' in need? - Leukemia Message Board

Sammi13 · 07-15-2002, 01:28 AM

Well today i found out that a friend of mine has been diagnosed with Leukemia. he is only 17 years old. I guess that i am in shock because i really don't know what to do or say? i'm not sure if i can help or what Leukemia is for that matter? I think it is some from of cancer? but even that i don't know? So please, anyone who can offer advice, please let me know what to do when a friends' in need?

------------------
~Sammi~

tinam2002 · 07-15-2002, 10:46 AM

just be there for him when he needs u .im 28 and my partner had it at 25.if u need to know any thing about it just ask ,im not sure what ud like to know at this stage,

------------------
tina m

Midge14390 · 07-15-2002, 05:49 PM

Sam I agree with Tina. Just be there and if e needs help give it to him.

Kim....

Jay Tor · 07-16-2002, 09:51 AM

I agree with the other posters: being there for your friend is most important.

As for learning abour leukemia, here's a link that will take you to some basic information. There are several different types of leukemia and once you find out which particular type your friend has, you can read up on it.
[url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001299.htm"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001299.htm[/url]

There are resources and support groups for patients [including their families and friends] undergoing treatment for leukemia. The one I personally have found most useful is ACOR.org [association of cancer on-line resoures]. The ACOR resources include 'communities' by type of cancer as well as bone marrow/stem cell transplant and graft-versus-host-disease. This way people with specific cancers can talk to others with the same cancer. Other resources include clinical trials information, current therapies, etc.
[url="http://www.acor.org/"]http://www.acor.org/[/url]

There are quite a few cancer patients and their family and friends at this bulletin board as well. And we'll all be here for you and your friend.

Jay

Sammi13 · 07-16-2002, 02:24 PM

WE have found out that he has Leukemia in his bone marrow and that he has to have spinal taps every day to make sure that it does not spread to his brain because it is also in his head.