Is it normal for colds and infections to take longer to get past? I haven’t started any type of treatment - find out in two weeks if it’s a start or hold and see. But man, I’ve had a sinus infection for three weeks now. Not just a cold but antibiotics for three weeks trying to get over this?
Just trying to learn what’s normal and attributable- seems like the three months between appointments digs up lots of unknowns and questions.
Tim
Tim, I have had CLL for 12 years ( I am 82) and it was diagnosed due to repeated pneumonia and sinus infections. White blood cells key to recovering from infections. I have had minimal treatment - did take immunoglobulin infusions monthly for a while to boost immune system. I have lived with minimal CLL intrusion into my life. Hope you get answers to your questions.
Is it normal for colds and infections to take longer to get past? I haven’t started any type of treatment - find out in two weeks if it’s a start or hold and see. But man, I’ve had a sinus infection for three weeks now. Not just a cold but antibiotics for three weeks trying to get over this?
Just trying to learn what’s normal and attributable- seems like the three months between appointments digs up lots of unknowns and questions.
Tim
Good morning. Well maybe a coincidence but both of my grandfathers had leukemia and died from it and I do not have any information as to what kind of leukemia, nor do I know if they distinguished the differences back then.
I was diagnosed in December 2021 with cll, started treatment in April 2024. Now my brother in Australia who is 61 has been diagnosed.
So, is it genetic? It does make me worry for my children.
My maternal grandmother died of leukemia at age 58 when I was two years old, but I have no idea what type. So that's been a question in the back of my mind.
Good morning. Well maybe a coincidence but both of my grandfathers had leukemia and died from it and I do not have any information as to what kind of leukemia, nor do I know if they distinguished the differences back then.
I was diagnosed in December 2021 with cll, started treatment in April 2024. Now my brother in Australia who is 61 has been diagnosed.
So, is it genetic? It does make me worry for my children.
Hi @marytheresacll. Worrying about our children is a chronic disease! I think we parents all suffer from that one. We tend to worry about things that haven’t yet happened or might not ever occur.
After reading through several articles on CLL, to see if it’s an inherited disease, here’s an excerpt from Healthline.com:
“Genes passed through families seem to contribute to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) development. Although a family history increases your risk, most people with this history don’t develop CLL.” “Inherited mutations are rarely thought to cause CLL. Genetic changes linked to CLL usually occur during your lifetime.” https://www.healthline.com/health/cll/is-cll-hereditary
So I guess there’s a slightly elevated risk level but it’s not a certainty that any of your children will develop CLL. Keeping in mind they inherited 2 sets of genes. ☺️
What your children can do is to have routine blood work, such as a CBC with differential, to act as a baseline. Then subsequent results can be compared to watch for trends in numbers. There’s also genetic testing if they want to go to those lengths.
But the bottom line is, none of us can predict the future and worrying about ‘what ifs’ will just rob us of precious time.
Good morning. Well maybe a coincidence but both of my grandfathers had leukemia and died from it and I do not have any information as to what kind of leukemia, nor do I know if they distinguished the differences back then.
I was diagnosed in December 2021 with cll, started treatment in April 2024. Now my brother in Australia who is 61 has been diagnosed.
So, is it genetic? It does make me worry for my children.
I have my first second opinion @Mayo Tuesday.
I had lots of questions After my 1st diagnosis I was not satisfied with my Doctor's Answers to some of my questions. So I requested 1⁄2 opinion and was pleased to hear from mayo. There are lots of treatments from what I understand and improvements and hopeI am anxiously . I am anxiously awaiting my appointment.
Hi @susue! Thought I’d drop in to see if you learned anything new from your appointment with Mayo hematology. From my own experience with the team from Mayo Rochester, I’m expecting your doctor took their time to listen and to answer your questions. ☺️ Were you able to get a firm diagnosis?
Good morning, @nana120. As a blood cancer patient myself and as a mother, I worry about the same thing you are…that we could pass this along to our children. I had AML, which I learned is not a directly inherited blood cancer, nor is CLL. While some genetic mutations can be identified or associated with blood cancers they’re not directly inherited in a straightforward manner. Most cases are random…with genetic mutations that we acquire with age. Le sigh…
Since your son’s splenectomy was halted, is he on any medication to reduce the swelling of his spleen?
Good morning, @nana120. As a blood cancer patient myself and as a mother, I worry about the same thing you are…that we could pass this along to our children. I had AML, which I learned is not a directly inherited blood cancer, nor is CLL. While some genetic mutations can be identified or associated with blood cancers they’re not directly inherited in a straightforward manner. Most cases are random…with genetic mutations that we acquire with age. Le sigh…
Since your son’s splenectomy was halted, is he on any medication to reduce the swelling of his spleen?
Lori, The spleen issue was discovered during every test known to man (hepatitis, encephalitis & meningitis) since he was delirious and semi conscious when he was admitted. After a week in hospital I think the infectious disease lab has narrowed it down to a tick bite infection (not Lyme). He has been on IV doxycycline until he was released yesterday! I’m not sure what is happening going forward, but the infectious disease physician said he may order additional medication. BTW, I’m 1,100 miles from him & Facetime was great during his release yesterday! ❤️
Lori, this is actually happing to my son who has CLL, also. The doctor watching hemoglobin getting lower and almost sent him to the OR for removal of the spleen until his son, an endocrinology surgeon, halted it! It is currently being watched. I suppose I passed the CLL to him 😩!
Good morning, @nana120. As a blood cancer patient myself and as a mother, I worry about the same thing you are…that we could pass this along to our children. I had AML, which I learned is not a directly inherited blood cancer, nor is CLL. While some genetic mutations can be identified or associated with blood cancers they’re not directly inherited in a straightforward manner. Most cases are random…with genetic mutations that we acquire with age. Le sigh…
Since your son’s splenectomy was halted, is he on any medication to reduce the swelling of his spleen?
Hi @johnwhitley, I want to officially welcome you to Connect. It looks like you’ve been a member for a couple of years already but this is your first time posting!
This was such an uplifting reply showing how your positivity and take charge attitude has shaped your future! This comment…wow! “ The CLL has actually given me a new lease on life and my mental health has never been better or my head clearer.”
Your words will offer encouragement to so many others who have CLL and need a morale boost! Will you consider being a regular visitor to the forum? ☺️
Thankyou for your kind word's. I do visit the site daily just to see if
there are any posts regarding CLL. I'll try to be a bit more interactive
with the group xxx
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Tim, I have had CLL for 12 years ( I am 82) and it was diagnosed due to repeated pneumonia and sinus infections. White blood cells key to recovering from infections. I have had minimal treatment - did take immunoglobulin infusions monthly for a while to boost immune system. I have lived with minimal CLL intrusion into my life. Hope you get answers to your questions.
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Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsIs it normal for colds and infections to take longer to get past? I haven’t started any type of treatment - find out in two weeks if it’s a start or hold and see. But man, I’ve had a sinus infection for three weeks now. Not just a cold but antibiotics for three weeks trying to get over this?
Just trying to learn what’s normal and attributable- seems like the three months between appointments digs up lots of unknowns and questions.
Tim
My maternal grandmother died of leukemia at age 58 when I was two years old, but I have no idea what type. So that's been a question in the back of my mind.
Hi @marytheresacll. Worrying about our children is a chronic disease! I think we parents all suffer from that one. We tend to worry about things that haven’t yet happened or might not ever occur.
After reading through several articles on CLL, to see if it’s an inherited disease, here’s an excerpt from Healthline.com:
“Genes passed through families seem to contribute to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) development. Although a family history increases your risk, most people with this history don’t develop CLL.” “Inherited mutations are rarely thought to cause CLL. Genetic changes linked to CLL usually occur during your lifetime.”
https://www.healthline.com/health/cll/is-cll-hereditary
So I guess there’s a slightly elevated risk level but it’s not a certainty that any of your children will develop CLL. Keeping in mind they inherited 2 sets of genes. ☺️
What your children can do is to have routine blood work, such as a CBC with differential, to act as a baseline. Then subsequent results can be compared to watch for trends in numbers. There’s also genetic testing if they want to go to those lengths.
But the bottom line is, none of us can predict the future and worrying about ‘what ifs’ will just rob us of precious time.
Good morning. Well maybe a coincidence but both of my grandfathers had leukemia and died from it and I do not have any information as to what kind of leukemia, nor do I know if they distinguished the differences back then.
I was diagnosed in December 2021 with cll, started treatment in April 2024. Now my brother in Australia who is 61 has been diagnosed.
So, is it genetic? It does make me worry for my children.
Hi @susue! Thought I’d drop in to see if you learned anything new from your appointment with Mayo hematology. From my own experience with the team from Mayo Rochester, I’m expecting your doctor took their time to listen and to answer your questions. ☺️ Were you able to get a firm diagnosis?
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1 ReactionTo my knowledge CLL is not inherited
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2 ReactionsLori, The spleen issue was discovered during every test known to man (hepatitis, encephalitis & meningitis) since he was delirious and semi conscious when he was admitted. After a week in hospital I think the infectious disease lab has narrowed it down to a tick bite infection (not Lyme). He has been on IV doxycycline until he was released yesterday! I’m not sure what is happening going forward, but the infectious disease physician said he may order additional medication. BTW, I’m 1,100 miles from him & Facetime was great during his release yesterday! ❤️
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsGood morning, @nana120. As a blood cancer patient myself and as a mother, I worry about the same thing you are…that we could pass this along to our children. I had AML, which I learned is not a directly inherited blood cancer, nor is CLL. While some genetic mutations can be identified or associated with blood cancers they’re not directly inherited in a straightforward manner. Most cases are random…with genetic mutations that we acquire with age. Le sigh…
Since your son’s splenectomy was halted, is he on any medication to reduce the swelling of his spleen?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThankyou for your kind word's. I do visit the site daily just to see if
there are any posts regarding CLL. I'll try to be a bit more interactive
with the group xxx
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction