I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) at 60 years old in 1997. I contacted the local Blood Cancer United office where I live, and was helped by a very understanding staff who gave me the names of some doctors. and was given a lot of information about CLL from their publications. I chose a doctor and was on watch-and-wait mode, seeing the doctor and getting an examination and blood tests every three months. As I got more comfortable with CLL and as time passed, I became an office volunteer and also a First Connection volunteer.
In 2013, at an examination by a urologist, he wanted a scan of my kidneys. He told me my kidneys were fine, but he noticed there were some small masses on my spleen. I informed my hematologist oncologist and had a biopsy. I was told that I had Richter's transformation, which occurs very rarely in CLL patients. So now, in addition to the CLL, I had very aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and was told I needed chemotherapy. At first, it was hard to digest because, except for some weight loss, I felt fine and went to work every day, continuing at an engineering office, including trips to job sites.
I had six rounds of RCHOP therapy from the end of 2013 into March 2014. Two of the drugs used were Rituxan® and cyclophosphamide, the same as what was being used at the time for CLL. I managed the treatments well, only being admitted overnight once to my local hospital due to a fever and, of course, a low white blood count due to the chemotherapy.
After the therapy, I was in remission from the lymphoma, and even my usual blood tests showed no evidence of CLL. I felt fine and gained my weight back and resumed all my activities, going to the gym, swimming, and hiking. In 2025, I am still in remission from the lymphoma. However, the CLL is slowly returning, and I am once again in the watch-and-wait mode as I was 28 years ago. I feel fine at 87 years old, and I’m still involved with the Blood Cancer United and can’t thank them enough for all the support they have given me over the years.
Norman
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
