My husband refuses to believe he has cancer?
My husband was diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia two months ago. He handled the news relatively well at first, but now I'm convinced he's losing his mind. He outright refuses to even consider any treatment options and seems entirely convinced that there is no cancer at all.
He's cooked up a crazy conspiracy theory that his cancer diagnosis was an elaborate hoax perpetrated by his ex-wife and her new husband involving forged test results and actors posing as doctors. I tried to reason with him but he's completely absorbed in his insane fantasy world. I don't think he's even slept in four days. Has anybody else experienced this?
Please help. I'm beginning to lose control of the situation.
- Panda
Sounds like your husbands knows something that you do not . . that CLL is a slow type of cancer that in the early stages is not 'treated'. So treatment decisions would be based on the 'stage' of his disease . . and even than the chronic type of Leukemia may not be treated . . usually they would wait until 'symptoms' begin to effect his quality of life.
As for his conspiracy theories . . you will need to sort that out with him or ask in a section of YA answers dealing with mental health issues.
As for the CLL . . if your husband has this disease he may outlive it.
CLL
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=62
Leukemia: CLL
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/attachments/National/br_1188228956.pdf
NCI: CLL
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/CLL/patient/
CLL Treatment
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Types/Leukemia+-+Chronic+Lymphocytic+-+CLL?sectionTitle=Treatment
"Watch and wait, for early-stage CLL
For some patients, symptoms and/or the presence of large amounts of CLL in the blood, lymph nodes, or spleen require treatment shortly after the diagnosis is made. In other patients, however, it is possible and recommended for doctors to monitor the patient without active treatment. During this time, the patient's blood counts are monitored and physical examinations are performed on a regular basis. If the CLL shows signs of worsening, active treatment would then begin. Multiple studies have shown that no harm comes from the watch-and-wait approach (also called active surveillance), as compared with immediate treatment of patients with early-stage CLL. Some patients remain without symptoms for years, or even decades, and will not need any treatment.
Treatment is recommended for patients who develop symptoms and/or worsening blood counts. These might include increasing fatigue, night sweats, enlarging lymph nodes, or falling red blood cell or platelet counts. People with CLL are encouraged to talk with their doctor about whether their symptoms require treatment, balancing the benefits of treatment with side effects that may result. Find out more about starting cancer treatment."
- lizincali
well one thing he could do is see another doctor for a second opinion. It may also be a good idea for him to see a psychiatrist. Denial is one thing, but it sounds like he is bordering on paranoia which might be a whole another issue.
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
Do you find what you need? Look here!
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)-Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Dr. Tim Call describes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), its diagnosis, and treatment options for patients with CLL.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
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