# My five year old son has leukemia... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 6, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525 "2011-06-06T18:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/1 "2011-06-06T18:42:35Z")
Got told by the doctors today that my five year old son has leukemia; he gets sick an awful lot, and this last week, was running a fever since Tuesday that kept spiking to 103, so my ex took him to an emergency pediatric place on Sunday. They ran his blood, and didn’t know what to say, so called and got him admitted to the Children’s Hospital in Macon. They ran more tests there, and this morning informed us that he definitely has leukemia. They don’t know which kind yet (ALL or AML), but the doctor is leaning heavily towards ALL which is a good thing…it has about an 85% survival rate, as opposed to 40% with AML. We won’t know for sure till tomorrow, when we get the results back from the bone marrow they took today. Regardless, they went ahead and did a spinal tap and started him on chemo, as the treatment for both kinds starts off with the same stuff. Tomorrow, they will put a port in his chest, so that the drugs can have a more direct route to his heart. I’m so frazzled right now I don’t even know what to do…I feel helpless, useless, terrified. I keep alternating between numbness, anger, and horrible, gut-wrenching sadness. I’ve been on the verge of tears all day, literally fighting them back every second, because I don’t want him to see how scared I am. I just love him so much. ☹ I’ll post updates as I can. The Dope is blocked by my work these days, so it may be in the evenings. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/2 "2011-06-06T18:47:08Z")
I am so sorry. If at all possible, take your son to St Judes in Memphis. This is who they are, this is what they do. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/3 "2011-06-06T18:49:54Z")
I’m so sorry to hear, **Woeg**. Give your little man some hugs and good thoughts from FL for me. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/4 "2011-06-06T19:03:13Z")
☹ How awful. My thoughts are with you and your family. Please consider setting up a [http://www.caringbridge.org/](http://www.caringbridge.org/) page, where we can keep up with your little guy and what’s going on, when you’re ready. I’m really really hoping that it’s the “good kind” and treatment is swift and effective. ((hugs)) ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/5 "2011-06-06T19:04:55Z")
Oh that must be gut wrenching. I am so sorry this is happening to you. Good luck with the treatments. If you feel the need or want at any time, I’ll second the recommendation for St Jude’s. I have a boy about the same age and cannot imagine what you are going through. Be well, and update as you can. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/6 "2011-06-06T19:05:35Z")
I am so sorry. All my best wishes and thoughts are with all of you. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/7 "2011-06-06T19:38:44Z")
My best thoughts to you, your family, and especially your son. I highly recommend Erma Bombeck’s book about children with cancer and their families [I Want To Grow Up, I Want To Grow Hair, I Want To Go To Boise](http://www.amazon.com/Want-Boise-Children-Surviving-Cancer/dp/0061099058) ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/8 "2011-06-06T19:41:51Z")
So sorry about this. You are not alone. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/9 "2011-06-06T19:46:41Z")
I’m really sorry, **Woeg**. I hope the news tomorrow is good and that treatment is as easy as possible. How is your son holding up? I understand why you don’t want your son to see you’re scared, but I hope he doesn’t think he’s not allowed to show his own feelings. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/10 "2011-06-06T19:50:23Z")
Sending best wishes your way, and seconding the idea of setting up a CaringBridge page. It will make your life much simpler, and will also be a great source of emotional support. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/11 "2011-06-06T20:05:56Z")
I’m so sorry, **Woeg**. I remember your name because I pulled an old thread during a search, and your answer to “Do you ever wish you hadn’t had children” really struck me as deep and heartfelt. \*\*alice\_in\_wonderland \*\*started [a nice thread in Cafe Society](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=610141)for her best friend’s son who is battling cancer, and my best friend and I are shipping some warm, silly hats to him. If anything like that should become useful for you guys, please let us know. Hard to offer comforting words for such a scary thing, but we would love to send a care package if the need arises. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/12 "2011-06-06T20:08:37Z")
Sending out healing thoughts to your son and supporting thoughts to you. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/13 "2011-06-06T20:10:06Z")
I am so sorry to hear this, I can only imagine how distraught you must be. Your family will be in my prayers. You can always count on us to send a tsunami of good thoughts your way, I wish we could do more. If you ever need to talk we’re right here and have big ears, never sleep, please don’t hesitate. I know we’re only invisible internet people but you have our undying support, for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/14 "2011-06-06T20:17:10Z")
Oh, my God. I can’t even imagine how difficult that must be. Best of luck to you and your family, and take care of yourselves. Tell us what happens and how he’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/15 "2011-06-06T20:43:37Z")
i am so sorry to hear this. you and your son must be so scared and just flat out knocked off your feet and totally spun around. remember we are always here with ears to hear you and shoulders bigger than the world for you to lay your worries and fears on. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/16 "2011-06-06T20:50:32Z")
This is so hard to think about, I can barely string together the words. But, it’s been found, it can be treated. Thank goodness. Best wishes to your son and all of your family. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/17 "2011-06-06T21:14:23Z")
Oh my goodness, I’m so very sorry. I know it’s overwhelming now but be glad that the doctors caught it early. I’ll send a prayer up that it’s ALL and that your son is one step closer to remission. Good luck to you and know that the Dope community is with you. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/18 "2011-06-06T21:21:21Z")
You need tools, & help. There are local outreach programs in most communities, with other mothers whose children have or have had this illness. You doctor can refer you. **Get that help.** ---
**Author:** ![BlueKangaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@BlueKangaroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueKangaroo)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/19 "2011-06-06T21:29:25Z")
How horrible. You & your family are in my thoughts. I hope the doctor’s right, and it’s ALL. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525/20 "2011-06-06T21:34:18Z")
I wish there was more I could say or do, but I am hoping the very best for your entire family. Strength and healing in your future, Matthew [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-five-year-old-son-has-leukemia/584525.md?page=2)