tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post8625733354132599438..comments2024-03-26T12:50:32.070-07:00Comments on Learning from and about cancer (chronic lymphocytic leukemia or CLL) by Dr. Brian Koffman: George Duke Dies of CLL and None of his Fans Knew of the Battle until his ObituaryBrian Koffmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250684684103918493noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-85134854586412517172013-09-01T16:53:20.530-07:002013-09-01T16:53:20.530-07:00Oh! That is rally sad to hear about talented young...Oh! That is rally sad to hear about talented young's that leave us earlier. I too had a friend (age 27) who was affected with cancer and passed away after he had chemotherapy and <a href="http://www.seagerhairtransplant.com/hair-transplantation/historical-developments/future-plans/" rel="nofollow">hair transplant</a>. he was such a h=good singer and even got a chance to sing in a reality show. but in vain, the disease had already invaded him badly!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12335184279924013800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-46234568876412174582013-08-19T19:26:37.498-07:002013-08-19T19:26:37.498-07:00I have had CLL for several years with all of my ma...I have had CLL for several years with all of my markers being the good ones. I have been asymtamatic this entire time and have kept my little secret from all but my wife and medical pros I might see such a a dentist or other unrelated to the CLL. My thinking is why trouble your kids and friends if nothing is going to happen in the short term. There would be plenty of time to deal with this if sometime in the future things change. Having had surgery for PCA I had no problem dispensing info and helping those faced with a similar condition. There was no choice there since I did have about 3 weeks total downtime before I resumed my regular schedule. When some form of leukemia or lymphoma comes up among people I know I will try to help with info that I might have available since I have done quite a bit of research and try to keep on top of the latest breakthroughs. I play off the knowledge by saying " oh I knew someone with a similar problem" and that seems to satisfy people. I sometimes mention to my wife that it is strange to be keeping this from everyone but we just chuckle and move on. That of course is the advantage of "smoldering " CLL rather than the more virilent forms, as you have often said this is not a one size fits all type of disease.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-87861642597188630102013-08-12T13:00:14.009-07:002013-08-12T13:00:14.009-07:00Only difference in his, is that you could tell by ...Only difference in his, is that you could tell by looking at him that something was wrong. I thought cancer because a man with a thoroughly healthy head of hair suddendly goes bald and he was a very heavy set man as well and had lost a considerable amount of weight. They may not have known exactly what was wrong, but they knew something was going on. Perhaps it was the treatment he chose, who knows?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-67979977344756545332013-08-08T18:23:00.184-07:002013-08-08T18:23:00.184-07:00The problem often lies in what you must reveal due...The problem often lies in what you must reveal due to medical appointments. I went through a clinical trial and never missed a day of work except for days when I had infusions. I elected to tell a very small number of people who were in my direct line of reporting so they would understand my need to specify firm dates out of the office. Unfortunately a couple of those people chose to tell others out of "sympathy." Within a few days, I was inundated with cancer doe eyes, the sorrowful misty look one gives when talking about Old Yeller. Needless to say I was irate over my supervisors revealing a personal medical matter. Cancer puts you in the lineup of those due to checkout next. You are denied opportunities, treated as a lesser entity and suffocated by the premature sad news of your demise. I managed to set things straight by doing my job at a high level of productivity, much to the dismay and even annoyance of my family. But you can't show fatigue or you are out of the game. Some people started talking about my retirement, something I neither wanted nor could afford due to health insurance issues. We all have different circumstances and needs, but I would opt for silence. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2741672436160438708.post-62018184061584689712013-08-07T23:33:56.195-07:002013-08-07T23:33:56.195-07:00This really resonates. I admire both your openness...This really resonates. I admire both your openness and your understanding with others who are less comfortable going public. <br /><br />I agree with your emphasis on creating greater awareness. In that vein, have you considered integrating your blog with other social media? It would be great if your readers could like your blog on Facebook, retweet posts on Twitter, publicly recommend your blog on Google+ and/or email your URL at the touch of a button to those who could benefit from reading it. <br /><br />In any case, it's obvious from various posts that through your outreach you have already lightened the load for many others who are fighting leukemia. <br /><br />Karen F. <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com