Hi Waterbabe,   Such a horrid thing to watch others go through the emotions of cancer.   My daughter had 2 years treatment for ALL so not an easy journey ahead.   Lots of  backwards and forwards and time spent at the hosp, we had a 50 mile trip.  Practical help,  (shopping/washing, cooking etc)  as time becomes an issue to get ordinary day to day things done, especially if your friend has other children.  Maybe some company at the hosp,  and just generaly being they for her. 

It is normal to start treatment immediately.  My daughter had a blood test in the morning, ran back to the playground at lunchime, resuslts frome G.P. at our house in the eve, hosp and 1st chemo by 1 o'clock the next day.  She is fine now and a young adult.   Treatment has also been improved since as well.  Still a very steep learning curve so maybe a lisening ear/company at the hospital,  consultation time if she is a single Mum.     The first few weeks are very intense so any help you can give will help  and be a re-assureance.

I hope all goes well   -     most  childhood Leukeamias have a very good outcomes.

Take care, gardenlady.

Ta

thanks for your reply, really appreciated. Have been thinking I could offer to clean their house or something so that it's one less thing to worry about when she gets home. They have one other child (4yo) who they haven't ever left before so it might be a struggle to watch him but I suppose I could be there at hospital to entertain him whilst they focussed on their sick son.

Is 2 years pretty standard for Leukemia? (It seems as though the stories I've read have been all around that length). Will he be at hospital 24/7 ro do you go in for 2-3 days and then home foe soem time and then back again?

Thanks once again

x waterbabe

Hi Waterbabe,   Yes strandard treatment is 2 years, I think boys can be longer.  The proptocol for treatment will depend on the results showing the strain of Leukeamia your friends son has so its a bit early to say . The parents will then be given. hopefully in hardcopy, the treatment plan he will be on.  The aim of the first few weeks is to obtain remission, the remainder of the the treatment is to ensure it does not return, which it will if treatment is not continued.

They are lots of blood tests to check the Leukeamia cells are reducing, which can be difficult in a six year old. Once a line is put in for the the taking of blood and administrations of chemo things become a lot easier.

It is likely that treatment will require some overnight stay for the intensive rounds of chemo and many day paitient visits. Its really humbleing and uplifting to see how children carry on, playing as normal as poss -  with trips attached and treatment in-between games.  When in bed we found that colouring,  jigsaws etc were good, a big diary (its a very steep learning curve),  and a good book for Mum!  Childrens wards are happy sup ported places and generally upbeat, little brother should be made welcome and  be reassureing that the hosp is helping big  brother get better and there are toys!  He can maybe also have his only adventure staying in a different bed some nights  at a friends if needs be?  Its not very easy for siblings to understand why lots of attention is being given to one child and I think they can feel side-lined. 

I hope things are going o.k. and your friends holding up, its good that she has you, caring and supportting, it will be a great help.

How are you doing?  This is a shock for you also. Just wondering are you in the U.K. or just up early? 

take care, gardenlady.

Hi gardenlady,

I'm in NZ so more likely up late rather than up early . Thanks for your response. I'll let Helen know. I burst into tears when I found out, it was quite a shock for me and he's not even my son. I can only imagine just how much they must be reeling from the shock of it all. And trying to absorb as much information as they can about it so that they can support Ethan and make educated decisions. Chemo starts for him tomorrow - he's already completely fed up from the tests.

Thanks heaps for your reply, it means a lot.

x waterbabe

Hi Waterbabe

Thanks for your posting.I was sorry to hear that your friend¿s son has been diagnosed with leukaemia and can appreciate your need for further information.

Childhood leukaemia is a fast-growing disease and it is very important to receive effective treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. Fortunately, most children respond very well to treatment and survival rates are generally very high. You can read our information on leukaemia  here.

Another reliable cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support has some information on the most common type of childhood leukaemia here.

Generally, the treatment may last up to three years depending on the type of leukaemia he has, but a lot of this time will be spent at home. Once your friend¿s son has completed all his tests, the hospital will discuss the treatment protocol with her, and she will have a much better idea about what to expect.

People often want to know if there is anything more they can do to help. Everyone is different in this, but we know that  talking and listening  and offering help when you can with chores, shopping or babysitting is generally what  people seem to find most useful.

I hope this helps.

Take Care

Celene

Hi Waterbabe

Thanks for your posting.I was sorry to hear that your friend¿s son has been diagnosed with leukaemia and can appreciate your need for further information.

Childhood leukaemia is a fast-growing disease and it is very important to receive effective treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis. Fortunately, most children respond very well to treatment and survival rates are generally very high. You can read our information on leukaemia  here.

Another reliable cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support has some information on the most common type of childhood leukaemia here.

Generally, the treatment may last up to three years depending on the type of leukaemia he has, but a lot of this time will be spent at home. Once your friend¿s son has completed all his tests, the hospital will discuss the treatment protocol with her, and she will have a much better idea about what to expect.

People often want to know if there is anything more they can do to help. Everyone is different in this, but we know that  talking and listening  and offering help when you can with chores, shopping or babysitting is generally what  people seem to find most useful.

I hope this helps.

Take Care

Celene