5 years out of work??? Leukemia Question

edin555 · New User Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 3

To all kind people,

My best friend that I known since high school has just informed me that he was diagnosed with leukemia.

I am naturally shocked and I immediately promised to be there for him financially and emotionally. However he has 3 small children and was very worried that he won't be able to work for a very long time,telling me that he talked to a friend, who has a friend, who was unable to work for full 5 years.

Now I am panicky trying to learn as much as I can about leukemia, but I wasn't able to find anything about the average and the worse case scenarios of the length of time being unable to work. Is the 5 years he heard of about right, assuming he does survive which is the most important thing of course.

I am asking this because I am thinking of starting a collection drive at our work place, and I would like to have as many facts as possible.

Thank you kindly for all of your responses,
Edin

brainman

Hi Edin. I am very sorry about your friends Leukemia. Do you know what type of Leukemia he has? That is a very important piece of information needed to answer your question. There are chronic types and acute types. With either type it is possible for your friend to live for several years. It is more likely that your find will be able to work some if he has one of the chronic leukemias.

I assume your friend is in the US? If he cannot work because of his cancer, he will qualify for Social Security disability income and Medicare. His children will also qualify for Social Security until they turn 18.

You and your friend are in my thoughts and prayers.
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edin555 · New User Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks a lot for your response brainman,

Unfortunately I don't know exactly what type of leukemia he has and nobody was able to contact him since the first time we spoke. I am very worried and am praying for him all the time.

Assuming the worst, if it is an acute type, does 5 years seem like a reasonable estimate and more importantly can he reach old age. (From what I understand cancer can never be fully cured but it can go into remission for 30+ years? )

Again, I am very new to the cancer and I appreciate all the responses.

kiwi24

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with APL (a type of acute leukemia) in Jan this year and have started back at full time work this month. Depending on the type of leukemia and how well he responds to treatment it may not be as long as 5 years.
all I can say is stay positive and offer your support.

Robyn. =)

[quote="edin555"]Thanks a lot for your response brainman,

Unfortunately I don't know exactly what type of leukemia he has and nobody was able to contact him since the first time we spoke. I am very worried and am praying for him all the time.

Assuming the worst, if it is an acute type, does 5 years seem like a reasonable estimate and more importantly can he reach old age. (From what I understand cancer can never be fully cured but it can go into remission for 30+ years? )

Again, I am very new to the cancer and I appreciate all the responses.[/quote]

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