Terrified sister might have cancer

[Caribou93]

About 10 days ago, my sister came down with what we all thought was the flu since she had bad muscle aches, a headache, chills, a fever, drenching night sweats etc. Well, it's progressively gotten worse, so she made an appointment to see her doctor this morning and I told her to keep me up to date about how it's going.

Well, I guess she had a CBC done and her white blood cell count was a little low, along with something else, but she can't remember what else it was. So, the doctor ordered a chest x-ray on top of that - otherwise she wouldn't have ordered a chest x-ray if the counts were fine apparently.

I'm freaking out because since her white blood cell count is low, I'm now thinking it could be leukemia or lymphoma. I originally thought she caught something where she works - at a hospital - but this has been going on for almost two weeks and she said she keeps feeling worse. She had to sit down in the shower this morning because she thought she was going to fall over. Plus, she's nauseous as well...I'm so worried now and I'm starting to literally panic. Please tell me this could be something else, I'm absolutely terrified.

[poppy77]

The doctors would have referred her for a lot more tests if they suspected this. I think leukaemia and lymphoma are two types of cancer that show up as very obvious in blood results, even before the patient has much symptoms. How do I know this? Well when I was going through a big post natal health anxiety period and got put on Sertraline, one of the initial side effects was night sweats. Oh course, this triggered me further and I got some bloods (for something else) done which showed a slightly higher white blood cell count. I of course completely freaked out and would not believe my doctor that it was not concerning. I even phoned up the blood labs at the hospital (don't ask! Even my doctor, although shocked, was astounded and slightly impressed that is gotten through to them and managed to speak to a doctor). The blood doctor I spoke to said that with blood cancers, it's not just one type of blood cell that is off, a lot of different ones that haematologists look at for this reason, appear abnormal. Also the counts are usually way off. That is why you should trust the doctor when they say totally non concerning.

It is probably a virus. There are a few going round that while people out for weeks. The x-ray will probably be just to check for a chest infection or something like that.

[lofwyr]

Her feeling bad could just be a matter of dehydration. The flu can last for two weeks without any issue at all, and dehydration can take a toll.

[Fishmanpa]

Pretty big leap there Caribou. It's not cancer until they say it is and they don't seem to think it's urgent or they would have ordered more than an x-ray. That's probably just to make sure there's no pneumonia or anything. Besides, a low WBC indicates a viral infection and the flu is a virus.

Positive thoughts

[countrygirl]

If someone has flu their blood tests will be abnormal especially whir blood cells. This is how they know you have a virus. The chest xray will have been to rule out pneumonia. All routine. I have not lobg had the flu and was very very ilk for about 10days and still 21 days later not completely better.

[utrocket09]

Sounds like your sister has an infection, not cancer. Normal to have x rays done if there may be an infection.

[Caribou93]

Oh my god, she has hepatitis. I can’t believe this...it was supposed to be the flu. She’s only 26, and I’m gonna lose my sister. :(

I can’t even comprehend with what’s going on now. They’ll be testing her tomorrow to see what type she has. I’m honestly trying not to burst into tears.

[utrocket09]

Hepatitis is not an automatic death sentence. My cousin has hep c and is fine. Its a chronic illness that can be managed

[Fishmanpa]

Hepatitis is not an automatic death sentence. My cousin has hep c and is fine. Its a chronic illness that can be managed

Exactly. I can see why everyone was thinking flu as the general symptoms are the same and this being a pretty nasty flu season. It's good they caught it and in many cases, regardless of type, it can be managed and cured depending on the type.

Keeping your sister and you in...

Positive thoughts

[Careful1]

I understand you are worried for your sister, this is understandable but please be aware that hepatitis is not an automatic death sentence.. There are treatment options..

The liver is really an amazing organ... It can handle a lot and it can even regenerate once whatever needs to be treated is treated. People live for years upon years even with permanent damage like cirrhosis... I know its easier said then done but please try not to worry yourself sick... The doctors will figure it out :hugs:

[Caribou93]

While I appreciate the words of support, hearing that it's not an automatic death sentence almost makes it worse. Because that makes me think that eventually it will kill her. I seriously just keep thinking this is a horrible nightmare and I'll wake up.

Or what if she can't be cured from it? She kept asking me if it's something that she'll have to live the rest of her life with, and I of course just said no it's not because I don't want her panicking anymore than she already is. I just want her to go to the doctors and have them say "oh, it was a mistake, you don't have it." :weep:

[Thelegend27]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought cancer raises WBC count? either way, i wouldn't get too worried, if they suspected anything they would refer her to a specialist or would be ordering more tests.

[worrywart29]

I know someone who was diagnosed with hepatitis C ten years ago. This person is perfectly fine. Wouldn’t even know she even had hep c. I don’t know which one your sister have but believe me most people go on to live long lives.

[poppy77]

I think most types of hepatitis have very effective treatments now. Some types of hepatitis are very short running and the body fights them off, others, they have medication for. The one people used to fear, hep C., they now have effective treatment programmes for. Look at Pamela Anderson. She has/had Hep C. and is now saying that she is cured (her viral load is at 0) through treatments. Just wait and see what is said. Have the doctors not gone through an explanation to your sister about what happens now. Surely they haven't just told her she has hepatitis and not explained how they will be treating her.

[Fishmanpa]

While I appreciate the words of support, hearing that it's not an automatic death sentence almost makes it worse. Because that makes me think that eventually it will kill her.

It's a real shame that anxiety can take true words of encouragement and turn them into something sinister :lac:

Let us know how she's doing. Be strong for her ya hear?

Positive thoughts

[Caribou93]

Well we’re going to the doctors today to see what type she has. I keep looking online to see if people are cured of it, and there’s a lot of stories saying it can be. Is that true or am I just seeing what I want to see?

[poppy77]

Read Pamela Anderson's story (she's the girl from Baywatch in the 90s).

[Careful1]

Well we’re going to the doctors today to see what type she has. I keep looking online to see if people are cured of it, and there’s a lot of stories saying it can be. Is that true or am I just seeing what I want to see?

Yes depending on the type. There are a lot of people living with hepatitis. My oldest brother, like your sister became very sick and diagnosed with hep C. He followed the treatment plan and a couple of months after he finished treatment the virus was no longer detected in his blood. My step father had a blood transfusion back in 84 and contracted hep C.. He lived many years with it and was cured a few years ago with one of the newer treatments.. There is hope :hugs:

[Caribou93]

But, I see plenty of statements saying that a specific drug cures hepatitis C for example over 95% of the time. If that's the case, then how come so many people say it's a long term condition. Because I don't think she has hepatitis B, because she was vaccinated for it before she started her new job. And I don't think she ate anything contaminated with hepatitis a since that's how you contract hepatitis a.

I just worry so much about it being hepatitis c, because I hear people say it's chronic in up to 80% of individuals, but it can be cured. So what's the verdict?

[Mindprison]

I don't know much about the condition myself but the NHS seems to have a very positive outlook on the treatment of the disease.

They say that advances in modern medicines have shortened the treatment time for Hep C thanks to new drugs. Previously, treatment was various shots of different medicine but it seems the new treatment surpasses that and is in pill form. This new treatment is shorter, more tolerable and more effective.

And you're correct, it looks like this treatment cures 90% of cases. I imagine that number is even higher if caught before any permanent damage is done to the liver.

Please bear in mind that the chances of liver damage are rather low only affecting 1 in 3 people with the virus and most cases developed 20-30 years after the infection was left untreated.

[Caribou93]

I'm just still in shock that she actually has it. Never in a million years did anyone think it was that. She went in thinking it was the flu, and they came back with hepatitis. I guess the lab tech who drew her blood today said "oh let's hope you don't have type C, and hope it's a type that's easy to treat." Like, who says that? That's why I was questioning all the statements that hepatitis C can be treated and cured nowadays.

[Careful1]

I'm just still in shock that she actually has it. Never in a million years did anyone think it was that. She went in thinking it was the flu, and they came back with hepatitis. I guess the lab tech who drew her blood today said "oh let's hope you don't have type C, and hope it's a type that's easy to treat." Like, who says that? That's why I was questioning all the statements that hepatitis C can be treated and cured nowadays.

Yeah the lab tech should not have said that :lac: I know your really nervous but try to remain strong for your sister...

It is true that some people do not respond to certain types of treatment but if this ends up being the case, there is another they can try. Most cases respond well to treatment and are eventually cured now days. When your sister goes on her next appointment, go with her and be sure to ask the doctor any questions you may have and make sure your dont leave with any of your questions unanswered. If there is something you dont understand make sure to have the doctor explain it to you. Perhaps you can write your questions down before the appointment so you dont forget anything... I do that all the time. Once you have a better understanding of it all, you may start to feel more optimistic and please come back and let us know how you are both doing...

[Caribou93]

I’m just worried because she’s really sick. She can’t get up, she has a fever, her whole body hurts, she doesn’t have an appetite, the whole 9 yards. That worries me that she’s going into liver failure of some sort. I’m trying so hard to seem calm, but I’m panicking on the inside. I know you all are telling me to be calm, but it’s so hard. I would give anything for her to be okay.