Hi Cindy and welcome to a great support team:):) It truly is a matter of choice I feel. I have had CLL for 9 yrs and have attended numerous indoor and outdoor gatherings (church, funerals, holiday gatherings, weddings, book clubs, yoga, etc). Yes, one's immune system is not as good as one without blood cancer and yes, we are more susceptible, however, we shouldn't stop living and put ourselves in a bubble so to speak. There are germs and viruses everywhere...everything we touch even in our own homes...many do not think about that. It is all a risk and as I mentioned one's own personal choice. Many feel better wearing a mask at events too. May the rest of your day be positive and happy:):)

Be carful and aware of the people around you because they will not have a sign to tell others they are ill. If you notice something abnormal then move to a safe area. Last year I was on 2 one week cruises and the ship had 4000 people. I was hard to avoid people in elevators or at meal time. I never got sick nor did I see any ill people? I did see a few masks? I thought those people were smart. I never wore a mask nor did I see any sick people? I do take lots of vitamins and supplements to improve my health.

That's understandable, Cindy. Does he have any symptoms that brought you to your Dr., or was it just incidental that he checked for CLL? Hopefully, seeing your oncologist will make you feel better, especially after he does certain blood work that can tell you much information about the CLL itself. Certain results will determine how likely it will progress or even not. Hopefully he has those qualities that determine it is indolent (not progressing quickly, but is just there not making trouble). Many people live with the indolent type for years without needing treatment even. Some may never need treatment. I've been like this for 2 1/2+ years. It's called "watch and wait". Sure hope your oncologist can give you that certain assurance. Although it might not seem like much assurance since you know it is there and can rear it's ugly head at any time. I still have problems with that thought, but it has gotten better with time. At the end of the day, it is what it is and watch and wait is the most we can hope for at this point. Besides that, I understand the treatments for this do work. Take care. Please let us know what's happening after the oncologist.

likely safe, but would not hurt to wear a mask...I do

We are here for you. What really is big is the gene testing if he doesn't have the 53 or 17 gene then it's not aggressive. I have the 13 which is the most common. If you look up CLL it's the most common form of leukemia. Tell him i we all know it's nerve wrecking, but you can live a normal life with it. Reasearch herbal teas, there are also lymphatic tea's as well. Alkaline water is good too, Cancer hates a alkaline environment.