Family Denial - Leukemia Message Board

TatorK · 05-16-2003, 02:46 PM

Hi all,
My family doctor told me in February that I have CLL. I'm 37 and he told me that a person usually develops CLL after the age of 50.
After reviewing my medical charts my wbc has been up & down since 1995. It varies from 13 - 18. Hasn't been past 18. He said that he didn't want to send me for the bone marrow test just yet; he said it was a really painful procedure. However, when my wbc doubles, he'll send me then. He told me not to worry about anything, not to stress and to live my life just as normal as I possibly could. By the way, stress can cause a wbc to be high. Initially that's what he first thought it was, stress.
I have really bad night sweats at times. I very rarely get sick. I'm very healthy. Other than going every three months for like a year getting blood tests, I've been great. And now I only have to go once a year for the blood test.
I haven't seen an oncologist/hematologist and this is what concerns my family. Thay say that the doctor had no business telling me I have CLL when I haven't been checked by a Specialist.
My question is this, is my family right for thinking this, or are they in denial.
Like I said, I feel fine other than the night sweats. I have accepted what my doctor has told me and I'm on about my everyday life.
Thanks for any input. May you all be blessed!!

operagirl · 07-07-2003, 05:38 PM

Your family is correct. A general practioner has no business giving you a full-blown diagnosis before recommending that you see a specialist. To make a suggestion as to what he/she THINKS you may have is one thing, but to tell you that you have CLL before running the standard tests? ABSURD! This doctor sounds incompetent to me (sorry if I offend). Get yourself to an specialist and have that blood-work done. I wish you the best of luck.

TatorK · 07-24-2003, 01:59 PM

Thanks for your reply. I did call a Specialist (oncologist) and they will not see me without a referral from my doctor. My doctor will not refer me until my wbc is 20 or above. The highest my wbc has been so far is right around 18.
I'm not real sure how to approach my doctor on this matter and I'm not sure if I even want to go see a Specialist. I'm afraid if they start probing around on me, that something will happen like maybe the CLL will progress. This may sound absurd or maybe crazy to some people. I don't know....guess I'm just scared. My grandmother died because of Leukemia.
And then on the other hand, I kind of want to know in case there is some kind of treatment I can take or maybe I don't even have CLL might be something else.
Either way I feel fine with the exception of tiring very easily and the night sweats are terrible at times. I wonder if maybe it's hot flashes?
I will be going back to the doctor in August I believe for another blood test to measure my wbc. Sometimes I try to convince myself not to go back for any blood work that way what I don't know want hurt me.
I just get very depressed here lately when I start thinking about this stuff, so forgive me if I sound like I am confused, which I believe I am, and in bit of a denial myself. Sometimes I just want to through up my hands and say to heck with it. Whatever will be, will be. Forget about the Doctor, the Specialist and all of it. I try to convince myself that I am fine and I will be ok.

TatorK
Live evryday as if it's your last day, because no one is promised a tomorrow!