The Grand Cafe

Oh Pete, I’m sorry to hear that. I know you will receive all the support and friendship on this forum that you could wish for and I hope it will be a nice escape for you over the coming months.
I understand your attitude of just burying your head in the sand and the thought of what you might have to endure at the hands of the Doctors isn’t really appealing, but the alternative will be less than pleasant and by the time you realise that the situation is a whole lot worse.
We are always here if and when you need to offload, shout and scream or just need some escapism. Who knows, there may even be some valuable advice from someone who has been through it.
Hang in there and know we are here for you.
Iain.

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Well sh*t, Pete, I’m crushed to hear this. Interestingly tho, about 2 years back I was diagnosed with high blood platelettes. I was sent to a blood specialist and after a whack of back and forth stuff with both of them, they finally decided the only sure way to know if I had leukemia was to do a bone extraction sample. (There’s a word for the procedure, I just can’t think of it).

So, she did the extraction; in thru the base of my back, no pain really. She decided somehow that it was not a threatening leukemia, and the only current danger at this point was the risk of the thicker blood clogging up things and causing a stroke or such. She just put me on a aspirin a day to thin the blood a bit, and I do regular blood tests.

The reason I went into detail is that maybe yours is like mine and less harmful. Fingers craossed, man …
I really hope so and wanted to pass on the somewhat positive experience.

I feel your anguish and hope for the best outcome.
Sincerely,
Dave

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I’ve been told that leukaemia is in most cases treatable and if you’re going to get cancer it’s the easiest to deal with. When I was in hospital recently they couldn’t stop the bleeding after they inserted a catheter.

I had to deal with (and defeat) a large melanoma in the 80s so I’m hopeful I can defeat this as well. There’s lots of good folk around me.

Thanks for the kind words.

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There is also a guy at my wife’s ofice that has the opposite of what I have, in that he has low blood platelettes. He is on some very expensive drugs for it which the government is assisting with, but he isn’t in any danger of being dispatched by it.
So, there really does appear to be a few blood disorders that are treatable, as you have said. I’m hoping and positively assuming that yours is similar to these.
Take care.

My reading is mid to high, thankfully most of the drugs here are government subsidised. Plus our oldest kids have both said that money isn’t an issue (it isn’t anyway tbh).

Till they tap my back and determine what type it is and how they’ll deal with it it’s all just conjecture.

We were only going to tell our kids at this stage but decided it was best to just get on with it. Plus Mrs Pete told one her friends who’s a hairdresser and sees a lot people we know, it was never going to be a secret from then.

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Well, that will well and truely let the cat out of the bag!

In all seriousness, we are all here and rooting for you, and sharing is very therapeutic.

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As much as I love her she was never going to keep it a secret, she cuts my oldest friend’s and my god son’s hair. I quickly had to ring them both. Told Mrs Pete she should have just posted it on Facebook. :grin:

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Pete - the key is - is your count relatively stable ?

I also go the RPA every 6 months for tests and have done so for the last 10 years

My specialist there says my count of pretty stable - if is goes from say 10 to15 in one hit then that’s a sign. My count has been above the norm for years but stable .

But by and large it’s treatable these days

No need to freak out just enjoy the music

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Hi Pete

Sorry to hear about this.

I hope all goes well with the doctors.

In case it’s of any use, there was a thread where some people shared ideas about health issues on here recently:

You are an inspiration to me and cheer me up whenever I read your posts.

I raise my cup of Clipper organic sleepy time tea to you.

Cheers
Jim

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That’s good to know. But I’m not freaking out just concerned.

Pete I wish you all the very best, and if you feel like it please do keep posting and let us all know how you are getting on. We all care and are here for you if needed. Love to you and your family.

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Hi Pete, I hope you don’t mind but I have just thumbed up your comment , recognising that this was a deeply considered post.

Not much I can say but best wishes to you and Sue
Ian

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There are isolated cases though Pete

I had a young guy in my team some 20 odd years ago from memory he was about 23 years old . Had a perfect donor in his brother which was a perfect match

The irony was about 6 days later after the operation which was a great success he had a massive heart attack and died

So tragic for his family

Times have moved on and Australia
In my opinion has a wonderful medical industry second to none by and large

Stay strong you’ll be fine

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It has a reputation for being a very good place for people who work hard in the healthcare industry, they are looked after well.

A lot of our young doctors are emigrating there.

Dreadful news Pete. But do not give up hope. Someone i know got the same nasty surprise and took the courses of chemotherapy and is now cured and with a new lease of life.:pray:

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Really sorry to hear that Pete. Sounds like you’re in good hands so that’s really important. With my medical hat on, I’m guessing from your description that it is one of the chronic types (CLL?). If so, the vast majority of people have many, many years of good quality life (music, wine!) ahead of them. Whatever type it is ( and you really don’t need to respond to my musings) I wish you all the very best and am thinking of you like everyone else here

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CLL (theirs 3 types I think) is what I thought but I was trying not to self diagnose. Guess I’ll find out soon enough just out of curiosity what is the treatment based on that.

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Well, it’s all been said above.
We’re in your corner Pete, if & when you need us.
I’m back at the Cardiologist in a weeks time to hear about next steps too.
I’m not going down easy either.
Let’s hope we both can fight on…:crossed_fingers:t3:

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Life’s a fight, keep us informed.

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I’m a great believer that one needs to have a positive mind

When I was about 6 years or so ( my other brothers were 5 and 8 ) some almost 65/70 years ago our mother developed breast cancer

Well that long ago it wasn’t a pretty sight what they did to her. She died at 90 years old.

I asked her when I was older how did she survive that. Her reply was she had 3 son’s to bring up and nothing was going to stop her.

My mother is my hero in life

Stay strong Pete she’ll be right mate :+1:

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