10 years on.

[corgi]

I was diagnozed in 2001 with a white blood count of 18.2 Over the years it has fluctuated from 12.5 to 28.1

My last blood test was 13.9

Anybody else had my experience.

I am very active, fair bit of cycling and I do drink green tea. I feel very fortunate.

[David39]

No, that's not my personal experience but it just reinforces how heterogeneous CLL can be. Clearly you have an indolent variation and long may it stay that way!

[Newdawn Administrator]

That's great to hear Corgi and I agree, long may it continue. It's the CLL story most of us would like to be writing 11 yrs down the line.

I'm seriously worried about having to get a bike though but might manage a few cups of green tea if I must!

There are some really hopeful stories out there. More please!!!!

Newdawn x

[cazza55]

Hi Corgi,

I've only just joined this group.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago through a routine eye test which led to having a blood pressure check then routine blood tests (I'm 55 - soon to be 56) but I'll say no more about the age !! My wbc at that time was 25 - I then broke my hip and for the last 4 1/2 years struggled until I finally had a bionic hip .

During this period I expected my wbc to be higher , however it was the opposite and started to lower. Now whether putting the CLL on a back burner (because the hip was my focus due to the pain I was experiencing) had a positive effect I will never know but at my check up last year my consultant said that had he not seen my results when diagnosed, he would have thought I'd just got an infection and to carry on doing what I was doing (whatever that was)!!!

At my last check up in September this year my consultant just said the wbc had raised slightly but he wasn't unduly worried and would see me again in 12 months.

Like you, I don't know why this is but I just hope that it continues this way - I must admit that I try not to worry about it but I am mindful that we all have different coping mechanisms.

[corgi]

Well you've gone 4 1/2 years, I've gone 11 years. I get a bit concerned before my yearly check-up but between times block it from my mind. We'll probably die at some time in the distant future of "old age"

There was some research by the MAYO clinic in America some 4 or 5 years ago stating that green tea reduced the WBC of some people with CLL. So ever since I heard about it I stopped drinking ordinary tea and changed to green tea.

Can't prove anything but it can't be doing me any harm!!