Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Support Group
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (or "chronic lymphoid leukemia") CLL, is a cancer in which too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) are produced. CLL is the most-diagnosed form of leukemia in adults. Men are twice as likely to develop CLL as women, however the key risk factor is age: over 75% of new cases are diagnosed in patients over age 50.
My name is Tiffany. I was diagnosed with CLL at age 46. I have been on watch and wait for 2 years. My numbers have jumped up quickly this last blood test and now I will be getting blood work in a month to see if I need to start chemo. Can anyone tell me what the chemo is like. Will I be able to work? I am raising a 5 year old-I am a single parent. Thanks for any input! God bless!
I am 56, and have been on watch and wait since diagnosis last year (April 2016). However, I was having some pretty intense symptoms which my oncologist said could be relieved with a short course of chemo. I don't know whether my numbers were in the same neighborhood as yours, but I thought you might benefit from me relating my experience.
So, I had my first round of chemo in July last year, and had subsequent treatments in August and September, all in cycles of only three days per month. I was able to work through it, and I am in a stressful job...I am a Juvenile Detention Officer. I took about 5 days off for each round (3 treatments a month, all in one week) and did pretty well. The chemo wasn't as hard on me as it could have been, had I not been given the targeted antibody treatment (Rituximab) prior to the actual chemo.
What caused me the worst issues was when I was given the Neulasta OnPro patch, which delivered its dose on day 3, 27 hours after the completion of each round (2 days) of chemo. The Neulasta contains a protein which is designed to promote development of new, healthy white blood cells. Because it targets this action in the bone marrow, the biggest side effect was aching bones in almost every part of my body for several days, but the pain could be managed with Ibuprofen.
Feel free to email me directly if you would like any more detailed information! I hope I have helped you to feel somewhat more at ease, should the decision be made to begin chemo.
David