Hi! I'm Charlotte, 22 years old from Harrogate, North Yorkshire. My mum has recently been diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukaeumia. She has known for a while but waited to tell me as she knows that I am crazy paranoid about any kind of illness, especially if it involves her. She has had MS since she was 28 years old so I've grown up with that and although I am totally used to it of course I worry about her a lot (what daughter wouldn't?) 
I didn't react very well to her diagnosis but I am fairly confident that it isn't serious. She will receive Cladribine (chemo) in the form of an injection over a short period of 5 days and the treatment is more precautionary than necessary as her neutrophils and platelets are lowish but not worryingly low. Her spleen is fine etc. and she is well in herself. Her brother, my uncle, had exactly the same cancer and is fine 15 years on. It is very unusual that they both have it (I say "have" as it is a chronic illness) and it is comforting to know that you can live a happy and healthy life even with a leukaemia. I know plenty about chronic illnesses as MS is also chronic and infact, Cladribine is also used to improve MS symptoms! 
I am writing to ask for any further info on Hairy Cell Leukaemia, ideally comforting info as I overthink and don't want too much negativity haha, and it would be great to hear from anyone living with it and how it has impacted their day to day. Another thing is my mum has told me this 2 weeks before I go to Sydney, Australia for a few months (till Christmas) and of course she wants me to go and enjoy myself. My flight is still booked and I have a job lined up but of course I love my mum and want to be here for her. I will be back in December and will wait on her hand and foot but if she receives treatment earlier than then I won't be here while she's going through chemo. She has plenty of family and friends around but I am the only one at home with her. I'd like to hear from any mums about their opinions on this. Currently my plan is to go with money saved so I can grab a plane back at any time if necessary, but I feel like a bad person. My family think it would be silly for me not to go as this is not a serious illness and the doctors are all positive and my mum doesn't want this to impact my future and experiences. 
Anyway, thanks for reading. I'm very up and down with my emotions right now and thought this would be a good way to reach out. 

Charlotte xx