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12 y/o son with CML wants to join 'tackle' football team.

Hello! 

I have not been by for awhile. This place looks great!:)

Anyway, I'm seeking some of your thoughts/advice.  My 12 y/o son has CML.  He's now MRD & .071 IS (3 log reduction).  WBC is normal.  Takes 400 mg Gleevec.  Some side effects include bone pain/head pain/fatigue.  Although not taken frequently, he's now using some narcotic meds to control pain.

So now he's entering puberty.  What a difficult time it's been!  When diagnosed 2 yrs ago, I was able to persuade him to not join any contact sport teams for risk of bruising/bleeding/infection, etc.

He wants to join a U.S. contact football team - it's not soccer.  The game in the US is more like Rugby - but with more padding.

I'm so worried about it.  He hasn't played tackle football for years.   I signed him up and paid the fee - but now, I'm reconsidering.  It doesn't start until August.  My family thinks it's a terrible idea.  He begged me to do it.  And, when I expressed my apprehension about it, he actually sobbed and said he felt as if he was not a real person.  I've tried to recommend other activities - even some that present danger - like rock climbing.  He'll have none of it.

On the one hand, I want him to live a very normal life and have a regular childhood.  On the other, I worry about infection and other injuries.

What is the general consensus about permitting/or not permitting my son to join up?   What can I do?  Has anyone suffered other injuries and recovered without issue?

Much thanks for your thoughts.  Best wishes to everyone.

Tracey

Dear Tadlaw

My son has just turned 18 and was diagnosed at 15. Rugby was a normal part of school games and although he didn't play it for a while when his CML was coming under control he resumed playing it as soon as he could. He couldn't wait for the 'all clear' from his consultant to resume playing. I think the physical experience  as well as the camaradierie of playing in a team far outweighed any possible health issues. I think adolescents, especially boys want to let off steam. Although my son comes off the field a bit bruised and battered, mentally he's in a very good place.He loves being just a regular person again and it shows his friends that he's still the same and caperable of most things.My advice is to let him try and be there if it doesn't work out. He may grow out of the game once puberty really kicks in and his peers start to get really big!  Its hard to be a parent at the best of times without the extra layer of worry that CML brings.

Best wishes

Sarah

Your son sounds great,I am glad CML has not robbed him oh his youthful spirit,let him give it a go for a trial period. 

I might not be in my teens still, (45 now) but having been diagnosed 7 years ago, I continued to train hard (3-4 times a week) and play squash regularly, and even took up football again two years ago. (I was PCR negative within 6 to 9 months).

I have had all the usual knocks, bangs, kicks and scrapes (including black eyes, sprained ankles, twisted knees)
and have been absolutely fine with recovery etc.

Everybody is different, but if you don't at least let him try, he will probably just resent it?
Personally I feel better physically and less tired when I exercise, less of the usual gleevec tiredness and other side effects.
I have tried to continue to live life to the full and have enjoyed every minute of it.

Hi, I totally agree with the above comment.  I'm 48, diagnosed 7 years ago and on 400 glivec.  I'm a qualified riding instructor - I still ride and take the knocks which comes with riding.  I also play tennis 2/3 times a week also and since being diagnosed obtained my coaching qualifications.  So for me sport means so much to me and I feel so better for it.  I also go to the gym too. I can't imagine my life without sport.  I would go crazy!!!

I have two son's and the youngest 13yrs loves his tennis and if I said to him not to play - oh my - I would hate to think of the consequences.

I think that if it was me I would let him have a go and see how he gets on,  Give him a trial period and if he's ok let him play. If he's anything like me he will get tired and may get pain in his joints etc but let him have a try.

Angela 

Dear Tracey,

Have faith- in your son- in his TKI therapy and how it controls CML...and in the possibility to have full and active life after diagnosis.

Support him and he will flourish. As you can see from the posts here taking exercise and continuing with sporting activities can remain part of life after diagnosis.....and can help combat the side effect of fatigue and muscle pain etc (whether that is from drug therapy or is part of the psychological effect of a cancer diagnosis)

Good luck to him,

Sandy