In October of 2019, much to my shock and chagrin, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a form of blood cancer. Aside from whining about it on my podcast, I figured I would set up this page to help me (and hopefully others) keep track of various resources.
Leukemia Care: A blood cancer support charity in the U.K. that has some great information, including this super-useful booklet on CLL.
The CLL Society: A patient–centric, physician–curated nonprofit organization focused on patient education, support and research.
CLL Advocates Network: The CLLAN Mission is to enhance CLL patient care and improve outcomes.
MD Anderson Cancer Center: A cancer treatment and research hospital in Houston, Texas. I am currently under the care of doctors at their Leukemia Center.
CLL Support Online Community/Forum (Hosted by HealthUnlocked): Sharing information, empathy, support, education, advice & empowerment with those affected by CLL.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada: “Our CLL Journey” video series (2017, below).
- (1) What is CLL?
- (2) Active Surveillance
- (3) CLL Treatment Choices
- (4) CLL and Your Genes
- (5) Tips for Treatment
Dr. Nicole Lamanna of Columbia University has provided the most useful introductory information on CLL that I have come across, in the form of a series of short videos:
- CLL versus other leukemia types
- CLL: A cancer of the blood
- Significance of watch-and-wait approach in CLL
- Predicting Response to Therapy in CLL
- Initiating therapy in CLL
- Treatment options in relapsed CLL
- Options for managing refractory CLL
- Addressing unmet needs in CLL
- Why it’s an exciting time for patients with CLL
- What testing is done alongside a diagnosis of CLL?
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Selecting initial therapy
- Understanding the timing of therapy in CLL
- Relapsed CLL: Factors in choosing therapy
- Impacting CLL management with lifestyle modification
- Moving the paradigm of CLL management forward
All of the above videos are presented by the CURE (Cancer Updates, Research & Education) Today YouTube channel. Below is another very helpful series of videos on that channel that focuses on the story of a recently diagnosed CLL patient. This series was released on February 18 &19, 2020:
- Background of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Treatment
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Risks and Complications
- The indolent nature of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Nathan’s story: Receiving a diagnosis of CLL
- What’s included in the diagnosis and staging of CLL
- The treatment landscape of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
- Nathan’s story: Choosing chemotherapy-free therapy for CLL
- CLL: Experience with chemotherapy-free treatment
- Addressing physical and emotional fatigue in CLL
- Chemotherapy-free therapy for CLL: Communication and Adherence
- Considerations for CLL as an enduring disease
As I learn more about and gain more experience with the CLL universe, I will add sub-pages to this CLL tab that get into specific details: