Connect
← Return to Anyone have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Discussion
Anyone have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Jun 22 7:21am | Replies (368)Comment receiving replies
Hi @slats I just wanted to check in with you to see if you caught this reply from me the other day. It contains a link to CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) discussions so you join in the conversations with other members who have CLL. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1565636/
You mentioned that your primary doctor diagnosed and is monitoring your blood counts. Primary care doctors can be terrific caring for our general health needs. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with CLL, it would be in your best interest to have be seen and followed by a hematologist oncologist. This is a specialist who is focused on blood related issues and blood cancers. Most people who are diagnosed may go years without requiring any treatment but it is important to note the stage and type of your CLL. It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ condition.
Have you gotten a referral to a specialist?
What does your primary doctor intend to do about your CLL?
Replies to "Hi @slats I just wanted to check in with you to see if you caught this..."
@loribmt I know htat this is not encouraged, but I quit seeing the hematologist. I asked my PCP to follow and she agreed. That particular doctor minimized every symptom I told him, never checked my spleen or lymph nodes, and seemed so irritated that I was not sicker and wasting his time. Then he charged a huge sum to my insurance company. Since being diagnosed in 2020, my health has rapidly declined. I just felt like such an annoyance to him. Since dx, my white cells and lyphocytes have slowly increased. They will increase, then hold steady for awhile and then increase again. He seemed so terribly aggravated with that and literally threw my lab reports on the desk at one visit. Sorry, not sorry, but I felt my PCP could do just as good a job and so I asked her to follow me. My markers are good so I really just do not worry about it at all.
Connect
@loribmt
Thanks for the excellent advice. I have an appointment with a specialist that my excellent PCP has set up. She had sent all my blood tests to him and now he'll take over my care. I understand that no treatment may be needed for a while. Since I will be 90, I hope none will ever be needed!!