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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Posted by melvin588 @melvin588, Dec 13, 2024

I had a colonoscopy & gastroscopy performed recently and as preparation a CBC was done and unbeknown to me a pererhal blood smear. The procedcures were negative and the reason I had them done was for 2 weeks before I had cramping, stomachache, nasuesa, Diarrhea and occassional vomitting which have now all resolved. My health issues are borderline Type2 diabetes, Hypertension and allergies. My CBC showed thee below results:
WBC 9.68
RBC 5.58
Hematocrit 46.8
Hemoglobin 15.2
Platelets 162
MCV 84
MCH 27.3
MCHC 32.5
RDW 15.3%
lymphocytes 21.5 %
lymphocytes, typical absolute 2.51
Atypical Lymphocytes 2.9%
These have been my CBC results for the last 6 years. Ny perherial blood test, (the 1st I ever had in my life showed smudge cells of 17.5%.
I am a 66 year old male and after googling smudge cells, I afraid i have CLL. I do not know if I even want to go and see a Hematologist as he recommended. If it is blood cancer, I thinking I do not even want to know. Any feedback is welcomed Thank-you

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 8 11:30am
In reply to @nanokrang "I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I see my doctor every 6 months. My issue is..." + (show)
Profile picture for nanokrang @nanokrang

I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I see my doctor every 6 months. My issue is my immunoglobulin levels continue to be low. I was having infusions every 12 weeks for the past year, ut am now having them every 6 weeks through the end of this year to see if that helps.

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Have CLL can weaken the immune system. So having those immunoglobulin fusions help to keep your immune system strong and can reduce your risk of getting sick. Were you getting frequent illnesses that your doctor decided to have the infusions closer together?

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bochos | @bochos | Jul 9 7:07am
In reply to @nanokrang "I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I see my doctor every 6 months. My issue is..." + (show)
Profile picture for nanokrang @nanokrang

I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I see my doctor every 6 months. My issue is my immunoglobulin levels continue to be low. I was having infusions every 12 weeks for the past year, ut am now having them every 6 weeks through the end of this year to see if that helps.

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I was dignosted 3 years ago. I have some issues but treatment (infusions) have brought my blood back to close to normal levels. I am 77 have lived a very full life. I just accept my condition and hope for the best. We don’t have children so in a way I (We) have a different outlook on life if you know what I mean. Do I want to buy the farm absolutely not. I just take my life from one blood test to the next blood test. As one gets older one has to deal with unexpected health issues so I try to deal with it to the best of my ability and if I buy the farm I hope it is a very nice farm.

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susannedenver | @susannedenver | Jul 9 11:26am
In reply to @labcoris "This time it was 11.8 but the dr said it had gone down slightly. They still..." + (show)
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This time it was 11.8 but the dr said it had gone down slightly. They still consider me zero stage and they just watch me. They all tell me it is a very slow growing cancer. They have patients who have had it for a long, long time. I know it is hard but try not to worry!

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it is my understanding that you need to get the mutations tested to know how aggressive this disease is and what your timeline is before you get sick. There are numerous genetic tests that need to be performed in order to be an educated patient

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njhornung | @normahorn | Aug 17 12:18pm

Something for those new to CLL. Friday, someone asked me how I am doing and I responded in the normal manner to that question. I forgot that she is one of the few people who know about my having CLL so was taken back when she responded that my so-so response is so much better than her husband. He was one of my 3 co-workers who has/had MM and one of the 2 who have died. Even I had forgotten about the CLL after having the recent blood tests performed. Will worry about it in another 6 months when tests repeated and I see my oncologist. My CLL was the farthest thing from my mind on Friday when at a dog event.

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