Living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is like being in a club nobody wants to join. Going in for blood work twice a month and being on the “watch and wait” list thinking, “This shouldn’t be happing”, “I am only forty years old”, “This generally happens to people sixty years and older” (D. Wilcox, personal communication, October 6, 2015).
What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells and the lymphatic system that are formed in the bone marrow. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia usually affects older adults, especially those over the age of 60. People under the age 45 rarely develop Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. n.d.). In Chronic …show more content…
Typically; swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, fever and infection, along with tiredness and fatigue, are some symptoms a person may experience with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Leukemia - National Cancer Institute. n.d.). In the early development stages of the disease, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia often has minimal effects on a person’s well-being. The disease is often assumed because of abnormal results from blood tests that were ordered either as part of an annual physical or a medical examination for an unrelated condition. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is not a disease that is normally tested for when one has blood work done. An unexplained, elevated white blood cell (lymphocyte) count is the most common finding that leads a doctor to consider a Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia diagnosis (Leukemia - National Cancer Institute. …show more content…
Since Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia usually grows slowly, not everyone will need to receive treatment right away (Leukemia-What Happens. n.d.). Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia depends on many factors; a person’s age, overall health, the type of leukemia, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. The most common treatments are; chemotherapy, biological therapy, and bone marrow transplant (Biological Therapies for Cancer - National Cancer Institute. n.d.).
Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or into a muscle to destroy or control cancer cells (What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia n.d.). When given this way, these drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body. Chemo is often given in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to allow the body time to recover. Chemo cycles generally last about 3 to 4 weeks. Chemo drugs work by attacking cells that are dividing rapidly, which is why they work against cancer cells (What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia n.d.). Since other cells in the body such as; those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and intestines, and the hair follicles, also divide quickly, these cells are also likely to be affected by Chemo. This, in turn, can lead to side effects such as; hair loss, mouth sores, low blood count, nausea, and vomiting, just to name a few (D. Wilcox, personal
What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells and the lymphatic system that are formed in the bone marrow. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia usually affects older adults, especially those over the age of 60. People under the age 45 rarely develop Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. n.d.). In Chronic …show more content…
Typically; swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, fever and infection, along with tiredness and fatigue, are some symptoms a person may experience with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (Leukemia - National Cancer Institute. n.d.). In the early development stages of the disease, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia often has minimal effects on a person’s well-being. The disease is often assumed because of abnormal results from blood tests that were ordered either as part of an annual physical or a medical examination for an unrelated condition. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is not a disease that is normally tested for when one has blood work done. An unexplained, elevated white blood cell (lymphocyte) count is the most common finding that leads a doctor to consider a Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia diagnosis (Leukemia - National Cancer Institute. …show more content…
Since Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia usually grows slowly, not everyone will need to receive treatment right away (Leukemia-What Happens. n.d.). Treatment for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia depends on many factors; a person’s age, overall health, the type of leukemia, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. The most common treatments are; chemotherapy, biological therapy, and bone marrow transplant (Biological Therapies for Cancer - National Cancer Institute. n.d.).
Chemotherapy (chemo) uses anti-cancer drugs that are injected into a vein or into a muscle to destroy or control cancer cells (What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia n.d.). When given this way, these drugs enter the bloodstream and reach all areas of the body. Chemo is often given in cycles, with each period of treatment followed by a rest period to allow the body time to recover. Chemo cycles generally last about 3 to 4 weeks. Chemo drugs work by attacking cells that are dividing rapidly, which is why they work against cancer cells (What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia n.d.). Since other cells in the body such as; those in the bone marrow, the lining of the mouth and intestines, and the hair follicles, also divide quickly, these cells are also likely to be affected by Chemo. This, in turn, can lead to side effects such as; hair loss, mouth sores, low blood count, nausea, and vomiting, just to name a few (D. Wilcox, personal