Blood Cancer has struck... [View all]

Last edited Sat Feb 14, 2026, 05:35 AM - Edit history (1)

My wife's just been diagnosed with lymphoma and now the doctors have said that it also could be leukaemia. This has been a "spectre" since early November, but the first diagnosis regarding Lymphoma only came in late January. The Leukaemia factor only just today.

One of the issues that she's facing is that this insidious disease has attacked her liver, her pancreas and her kidneys - and as a result of all these organs not working properly she's been inundated with high levels of fluids that as you can imagine has caused her to expand into something unbelievable.

They've tried to drain the situation - 11 litres of fluid in one evening - which is amazing but, as a result of that, she's under quite a different kind of stress.

I'm quite concerned. I don't know what to do because there isn't much I CAN do. The medical team is doing the best they can and so I can only hope for the best.

I do trust the system - I think that here in the UK it might be difficult to get care you need initially – you know, if you have minor stuff. But if you really do have something serious, I have to admit, from my experience now, through this process, that the system is brilliant. They’ve attacked this like the SAS.

The teams are deployed, systems are focused, testing is allocated, and yeah, I think that if you are suffering from something like what my wife is undergoing, I now know that residing in a National Health care type system where you don't worry about it - they worry about it - It is actually good. From local doctors, emergency ambulance services, and multi-disciplinary teams, there has never ever been any comment or suggestion of a bill or payment required. It’s amazing.

However, all that said, it doesn't necessarily give me much comfort because I'm still unclear as to how things are going to resolve.

We've been together since 2003 and we do everything together. And…

There is no difference even in this situation - I wake up every morning… I work my way to the hospital… I'm there by her bedside every day for as long as I can whilst simultaneously trying to maintain my work because that has to happen too. And even after hours, we stay connected via text and email – sometimes even all through the night.

The medical teams are quite sensitive. The nurses and nursing assistant teams are focused completely on her situation and her health but they also do have those moments when they ask me how I'm doing - which frankly, considering the fact that I am completely emotionally compartmentalised (so as to allow me to get through this) I deeply appreciate what they are doing and trying to do.

I only have a few friends locally here in the UK. My closest friends are back in my home state of Michigan. But everyone regardless of the global location is trying to be supportive.

So anyway, that's where I'm at now - it's a bit depressing, but I'm getting through the day-by-day. At least I have a client that is supportive, “whatever you need, it’s least we can do.” almost caused me to breakdown.

So, I'm going to pause here. Only to add that I just thought it would be cathartic for me too sort of reflect on where I'm at right now and the challenges I'm facing. Although I'm not a frequent original poster on DU, I do try to stay engaged and read and understand what's going on and I know that others have posted regarding their own personal issues with health, food and other things and the community support has been wonderful to witness.

I thought I would just at least share some of this and allow a bit of release to occur.

Hopefully I can find some balance.

Anyway, thanks for reading. You don't have to comment, you don't have to respond, you don’t have to rec.

It doesn't matter… just writing this is probably enough for the moment…

thanks DU!

Joe.

UPDATE: thank you to everyone for your kind responses and support. I can’t thank each of you individually at this moment but I will eventually. Meanwhile, as and when I receive any condition update I will let you know. Thanks again to all!