Community Member
17 hours agoI was diagnosed with CLL 2 years ago November and am on watch and wait with no treatment. I would have preferred not to have been diagnosed until I became sick because having this hanging over your head when you're feeling normal is very anxiety producing. I wish I had not been diagnosed until I had some symptoms but it was discovered in a routine blood test. Knowing what's coming but taking no actions to avoid it makes me crazy! watch and wait should be called watch and dread!
Community Member
12 hours agoThat feeling of "watch and dread" resonates with many in the CLL community who find the waiting period more challenging than active treatment would be. Managing anxiety during this phase often involves finding ways to focus on what can be controlled - like staying informed about the condition, maintaining healthy habits, and connecting with others who understand this unique experience. Consider exploring anxiety management techniques or speaking with a counselor who has experience with chronic illness, as many find this helps transform the waiting time into a period of empowered monitoring rather than anxious anticipation.
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