just seen specialist and have been put on watch and wait

hi Janet,   

welcome to the online community

wow, mammogram then this, that's a shocker

how did they go about finding that out ?

I had a biopsy before my breast cancer diagnosis and it said that lymphoma couldn't be ruled out, my GP dismissed my fears

It played on my mind when discussing my chemo options but my onco was much more in favour of looking after my immediate future than worrying about something that I might never get to face, that was a fairly grounding experience.

I've no idea if you know this but the very earliest signs of breast cancer is where there are changes to cells and that's called DCIS and the current thinking is to watch and wait for that.

I'm not from this group, so I'm not entirely sure about self help for SLL or CLL, other than diet and exercise, or eat less move more.

I walk around the park and up and down the cemetery hill, I did try and do it 5 days out of 7 but slacked badly during September, October and November, but got myself back on track this last week and feel a lot better.

do you run half marathons or anything similar ?

chin up

hugs

Carolyn

xx

Hi Janet

I have NH Lymphoma and have been on watch and wait for just over a year now. 

I join the CLL group as my brother in law has it and it seems to be grouped together with Lymphoma. He has just started treatment after being on watch and wait for a couple of years, I suspect he is somewhat older than you.

For my part I know how strange it is to be told you have a cancer yet they are not treating you. This seems to go against everything you read or hear about catching it early.

My consultants have been very clear with me that as it is a slow growing cancer which in my case is treatable but not curable, they will not start treating until it is giving symptoms. It makes no difference apparently if you are treated now or at a later stage.

I am quite happy to be on watch and wait as at this time am well and I am trying to make the most of being well, but it is always at the back of my mind, especially when making plans which I don't have the confidence to do so much in advance. I do worry about the future as I will most likely be on my own when the time comes to treat. But there is little I can do about when and if and am determined not to let it get to me and hopefully deal with it when the time comes. I would rather hold out without treatment as long as I can in the hope that better treatments become available.

Get as much information about your own position, it seems to affect us all differently, talk to the helpline here and do gave a look at the 

Lymphoma.org site you will find CLL there as well,they also have helplines.

There are many people on these sites who are on watch and wait some excepting it others not. We are all different.

All the best to you.

Ann

thank you for responding everything is so new at the moment I am determined to carry on, I will be glad to be back at work on Wednesday . So my routine will be back to normal  x take care Janet  

Hi
Lots of help on here.
I had a recent CLL diagnosis. When I saw the consultant it was a case of 'it won't kill you', go and live your life!!
There is a lot you can do to help yourself.
Firstly a good diet. I am breaking that bit of advice because I am a veggie! But I eat enough enough and have taken advice taking a range of vitamin tablets daily.
Don't let your mind (or other people!) worry you. I am 65 and nothing really has changed in my daily routines!
Best wishes

Thank you Michael It's great to hear from you , I have been feeling so confused  there is so much information to digest and the diagnosis came out of the blue .  I will come to terms with it and with the support of this group and people like yourself

Happy New Year

Janet .

Hi Janet 

Hi Teresa I am feeling all over the place tonight I know its early days so I should expect it . Now I am worrying about  our cat will I have to give him up  . Thank you for responding  .

So Much courage to everyone  with your letter :)   I try to follow you.

Happy New Year ...

Charles

Hi Janet

Have a look at the CLL support pages on the HealthUnlocked website. It has a large community and is a great site to ask questions. 

Many of us, when diagnosed, are completely unaware that we had CLL and suddenly go into a frenzy of web searching. While this may educate you for the future, the fact remains that, while on watch and wait, what didnt make you sick yesterday will continue not to do so for quite a while and most strange aches and pains are more likely due to life rather than CLL.

I am still on watch and wait and have been for almost 10 years. I also lost my spleen in a road accident two years ago but changes to my lifestyle have been relatively few. 

I have always made sure that I have the annual flu jab and also got vaccinated against pneumonia...both the child vaccine and then the adult vaccine. I also had a few additional vaccines that were linked more to losing a spleen. I do try avoid sick people whenever possible.....esspecially during flu season.

For diet, i have stayed clear of some of the popular fads (eg green tea). I eat a healthy diet, take one multivitamin a day and exersize regularly. 

One change I have noticed is an increased sensitivity to insect bites. Mosquitos are the worst. However, regular applications of jungle strength repellant during the summer certainly helps. 

And as for the hairy critters.....I still have a large slobbery dog and a cat.

Mike

Hi boa 1959