That was beautiful. Thank you so much. Im sorry that your people abandoned you. I can't imagine not having support from my family and friends. Im glad that you were able to do your own research and find ways to lower your stress. That takes alot of strength. I'm in the beginning of my journey with this so I know I will go through some trying days. I have such a great support group. Lucky me. I'm also glad I found this group. It makes such a big difference. Thank you for the prayers and sharing your story. Hugs.

Karisha,

I was shocked and wanted to cry when my doctor told me I had leukemia. I was so thrown off balance that I had to ask him what type of leukemia he had said. He was gracious enough to leave the exam room and come back with literature about CLL.

As a breast cancer survivor, to me cancer meant immediate action to destroy the invader. That mindset made Watch and Wait hard to wrap my mind around.

Adjusting to the new reality of a diagnosis takes time, so be patient with yourself. And you are welcome to express your thoughts, feelings and fears to members of this community. We have been where you are and we are here for you!

If you are a person of faith, lean into your faith.

Read the stories of people in this community. Many have been living with CLL for years. Learn from the stories and strategies.

When i was first diagnosed i felt like i hit a brick wall. I felt numb. I felt not looked after properly by doctors here in Ottawa and by the health care sysyem which is failing and we all know why. I had the cancer growing in me for years prior to finding out and these doctors did not care to do their due diligence or work. I had even tried to get counselling because i was afraid of the diagnosis and of dying. I was told nope the councelling is reserved for chemo patients only sorry. Up until now Ive had zero help from the medical system. No help or care from any family member or so called friend. Since people i know have found out i have cancer they pretty much all abandoned me including my partner of 15 years. Some have become vultures as well and im stil alive. So i havent had the greatest luck but i hope you will have better luck in your life and i will pray for you that you do. Ive been on my own, period. Ive had to do all my own research to find out about this disease. I started by watching youtube videos called cll my story . I purchased many books on cancer. To help myself i have drastically changed my diet for one thing. I am careful not to pick up anyones colds or flus etc and i try to stay clean and keep my home clean. I have asked for guidance from God and Jesus. I have found mindfulness being out in nature with the trees, the birds and animals and by doing some photography and some hiking and walking. I am more relaxed now on the thought of expiring one day as i realize we all have to go one day and that there is always someone worse off than i am. God has a place for us as he has many rooms. I went through a dark state of feeling i was no good anymore for nothing but that is not true. I have been volunteering and helping as many people that i can in any way that i can...and that is doing the Lords work and it helps me not focus so much on my illnesses. Finding this site and all the amazing wonderful people here is one of the best things ive done lately. Dont worry so much and dont stress! My doctor told me that stress will make cll grow and she was right as i watched my numbers climb through episodes of stress. Yes this new diagnosis is scary at first but as time goes by and you educate yourself, take care of yourself, love yourself and just do the best that you can and find ways to be happy and enjoy yourself is all you can do. Wishing you the best and i will pray for you today. lots of love sent your way 🙏🏼🙏🏼💗🌻🌞

I joined other groups to find answers. I learned about this illness and after 10 months I requested medication. My doctor applied for a money grant to pay the copayment $3400 so my cost was $0. Find your answers because the fear of the unknown is terrible 😢

I was 72 and I retired at 58. I was very active visiting the gym 3 times a week jogging and doing heavy duty property work weekly like cutting and splitting oak for fire wood cutting grass for 2 hours . Then I was told I had CLL. No change in activities but my wife did yell at me to come inside after 2 hours of hot and sweaty work. After a few years my legs developed a strange bruising from jogging so no jogging in the past year but no bruising. I eat healthy and I am healthy. Medication makes my blood test 100% normal. I hope others can get medication to take care of those bad cells and have a normal life. Celebrating Long Life (CLL)