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Leukemia
Coping skills
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Leukemia is a form of cancer
unlike any other, and one of the more dangerous. The term leukemia
refers to cancers of the white blood cells (also called leukocytes or WBCs).
Leukemia is cancer of your body's blood-forming
tissues, including the bone marrow and lymph system.
The word leukemia means "white blood" in
Greek. The disease usually starts in the white blood
cells.
Under normal circumstances, your white blood
cells are potent infection fighters. These cells
normally grow and divide in an orderly, controlled
way, as your body needs them. But leukemia disrupts
this process.
In people with leukemia, the bone marrow produces
a large number of abnormal white blood cells. They
look different from normal blood cells and don't
function properly. Eventually, they block production
of normal white blood cells, impairing the ability
to fight off infection. Leukemia cells also crowd
out other types of blood cells produced by the bone
marrow, including red blood cells, which carry
oxygen to tissues throughout the body, and
platelets, which help form blood clots that control
bleeding.
Leukemia isn't just a children's disease, as some
people think. Leukemia has four main types and many
subtypes - and only some of them are common among
children. Overall, this form of cancer affects about
10 times as many adults as children. Leukemia is usually fatal without
successful treatment.
Coping skills
A
diagnosis of leukemia can be devastating — especially for the family of
a newly diagnosed child. Remember that no matter what your concerns or
prognosis, you're not alone. The road ahead may not be easy, but these
strategies and resources may make it easier:
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Know what to
expect.
If you or your child is diagnosed with leukemia, find out everything
you can about the type, the stage, the treatment options and their
side effects. The more you know, the more active you can be in your
own care. In addition to talking with your doctor, seek out
information from reliable sources such as the National Cancer
Institute, the American Cancer Society, and The Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society.
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Be proactive.
Although you may feel tired and discouraged, don't let others —
including your family or your doctor — make important decisions for
you. Take an active role in your treatment.
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Maintain
a strong support system.
Having a support system and a positive attitude can help you cope
with the issues, pain and anxieties that might occur. The concern
and understanding of a formal support group or others coping with
cancer can be especially helpful. Although support groups aren't for
everyone, they can be a good source for practical information. You
may also find you develop deep and lasting bonds with people who are
going through the same things you are.
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Set reasonable
goals.
Having goals helps you feel in control and can give you a sense of
purpose. But don't choose goals you can't possibly reach. You may
not be able work a 40-hour week, for example, but you may be able
work at least part time. In fact, many people find that continuing
to work can be helpful.
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Take time for
yourself.
Eating well, relaxing and getting enough rest can help combat the
stress and fatigue of cancer. Also, plan ahead for the downtimes
when you may need to rest more or limit what you do.
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Stay
active.
Having cancer doesn't mean you have to stop doing the things you
enjoy or normally do. For the most part, if you feel well enough to
do something, go ahead and do it. It's important to stay involved as
much as you can.
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