I am off to ASH 2015 to learn everything I can about CLL and I have a miserable cold.

I got my biannual cold that seems to come just as I am planning to get on the plane to the be the only family doctor among 30,000 or so hematologists and researchers from around the world.

Despite my aches and cough and runny nose, I am looking forward to learning all that I can on CLL, absorbing it and sharing it here and on the CLL Society website.

Highlights include the first data on an ew BTK inhibitor, ACP-196 (NEWS BREAK: now officially called acalabrutinib), more on other exciting drugs in development including venetoclax (ABT-199) and several promising new signal blockers and more on SYK inhibitors and new antibodies and new combos and more on approved drugs such as ibrutinib and idelalisib and obinutuzumab and ofatumumab and more smartly focused material on chemo and on new understandings of how CLL is treated in the real world and how it might be treated soon and so much more.

Plenty of interviews scheduled with experts from around the world, many whom are old friends and some who are new to me, but have published important research.

Hundreds of great abstracts (I have reviewed about 200 so far) and many oral presentations and press conferences.

I am also meeting with other patient advocates and friends from around the world to share best practices.

I will try to share some live updates from ASH 2015 because it is so exciting, but mostly I like to digest the research over a few weeks so that it can be understood and put in meaningful perspective.

The only thing missing is lots of sleep.

So now I am going to bed. Flight tomorrow AM.

iwCLL 2013: Dr. Jeff Sharman Discusses Richter's Transformation in CLL

In the final segment of my interview with Dr. Jeff Sharman discusses the dreaded complication of Richter's Transformation.

First he explains exactly what we are talking about and the importance of understanding the difference flavors of this sinister secondary blood cancer.

Why are we seeing more Richter's?

What is the future for those of with CLL?

Dr. Sharman was very generous with his time exploring these tough questions.

And I plan to prevail upon him again to update us from ASH next week.

But first I willing be posting many more interviews from iwCLL. So much news to share.

Here is Dr. Sharman. I so appreciate his making himself so available to the CLL community.



Personally, I saw my PCP today and he said my chest was clear. Great news. Still have a persistent cough, now dry and painful, but I am getting better. Voice is raspy, but I can talk, between coughs that is.

I am winning this battle will my allies of levaquin, cough meds, and pot after pot of a  hot tea made from mullein leaves, marshmallow roots, and slippery elm to sooth my weary throat.