Video for Newly Diagnosed

Here is a link to a great video for the newly diagnosed:

Bruce Gimplin: CLL Is Just Part of My Identity

It is a very calming video and also there is a transcript below if you do not have a video player. It gave me some support that there were others out there going through similar situations.  He is a very good speaker and he gives some clarity to the emotions and feelings that would be universal to anyone given this diagnosis.

It is on Patient Power and good place to visit also.

Have a great day!  

Finding Programs and Contacts

It is very reassuring to talk to others who are going through similar situations and you can also learn about what free educational and support programs are offered by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  They have local offices listed on their website.  This is the one that is close to where I live in British Columbia.  There are offices all over Canada and the U.S.

This is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 

Vancouver Office:
1682 West 7th Avenue Suite 310 
Vancouver, BC V6J 4S6
(604) 733-2873 (phone) 

Find a Forum or Community on CLL

Are you looking for a forum or a community on CLL?  Well here you go, this is the link to the LLS Blood Cancer  Discussion Boards. I have not gone on there yet but looks like it would be very helpful to anyone who is looking to connect to others with similar illnesses and challenges.

Here is the link to the Chronic Lymphocytic Forum Section.  I will get on there eventually.  Forums can be a lot of fun as well as a place to gather info.

A Wonderful Book on CLL

There is a great book all on CLL, here is a link to it.  It is a pdf file from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

I really find their website, the Leukemia Society, to be so great. It is a lot of info but if you just do a little each day it is not so overwhelming.  I guess it is a matter of trying to focus on one part of the information depending upon what stage you are at. And also to remember not to do too much on this topic.  You have to remember that living is not all about CLL.  This blog is about that subject but it is important to get out and walk in nature and remember who you are as a person on this earth .

Basic First Questions to Ask

Basic First Things to Do When Diagnosed
Here the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has given us some basic first questions to ask the doctors for yourself, if you are diagnosed or for your child.  It is in a print out form which is good. You may have other questions to add to it as it pertains to your personal health situation.
Link to Question Document

I am going to put in a series of basic first links that may be useful.
I think it is the initial part of the diagnosis when it is the most difficult for a person to know what to do or how to begin so I am going to focus on that for a while.  In my own case, the specialist spent a few minutes with me telling me what it is and that if I had any other questions I should go to my doctor.  Since my doctor was in retirement mode, I felt kind of lost.  I googled CLL.  I called around to some entirely wrong areas and then gave up. There was nothing local that I could find with any info.