Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL/SLL)

Hi, my name is Chaneta, I like to go by Juliet. This past year has been an interesting one, to say the least. I’m a singer-songwriter who wrote and released an album in October 2017. I thought the year was going to be an amazing one – promoting and performing – unfortunately, I performed one time and I began to literally unravel. In December 2017, I caught the flu.

I was diagnosed with CLL in 2010 after feeling tired all the time, bruising easily, significant joint pain, a hot mess. I was told I could be treated but never cured. I survived an earlier cancer via radiation therapy where I was over radiated. I had never been so sick in all my life. While I don't ignore my condition I've decided to live best I can.

I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in December 2004 during a routine physical. Over the next five years I had periodic blood tests and met with my oncologist, Dr. Symes at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC) in Erie PA discussing the disease's progression, treatment options and when to begin treatment, including but never have done a bone marrow biopsy.

In an instant, my life changed. “You have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). There is no cure but patients can live for several years.” These were the words I received a few years ago at the age of 39 with three small children. I have been on an educational journey of self-discovery, cancer research, and patient advocacy ever since.

My son was rubbing my shoulders and noticed a lump on the side of my neck which freaked him out.  He then told my wife about it and they demanded that I go have it checked. In November 2013, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

I was losing the battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and lymphoma in August of 2013 when I ran across this quote from Albert Einstein, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." I decided to adopt this as my standard to live by.