By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Can Thinking Younger Make You Live Longer?
    April 20, 2011
    Image
    Obesity’s Outlook Unchanged
    June 13, 2011
    When It’s An Emergency Elderly Not Treated As Well in Hospitals
    July 16, 2011
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: My New Adventure in the World of CLL
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > My New Adventure in the World of CLL
Wellness

My New Adventure in the World of CLL

Andrew Schorr
Last updated: September 10, 2015 6:29 pm
Andrew Schorr
Share
10 Min Read
SHARE

My adventure in the world of CLL started in February 2013, when during a routine physical, my physician noted that my white counts were “elevated.” Having a rather offbeat sense of humor, he was certain that his blood analyzer was faulty, and a second blood test would most definitely prove that. Well, the exact same numbers came up, and while he insisted that his machine was clearly broken, perhaps I should go see a hematologist.

My adventure in the world of CLL started in February 2013, when during a routine physical, my physician noted that my white counts were “elevated.” Having a rather offbeat sense of humor, he was certain that his blood analyzer was faulty, and a second blood test would most definitely prove that. Well, the exact same numbers came up, and while he insisted that his machine was clearly broken, perhaps I should go see a hematologist. After a battery of unpleasant tests and trips to multiple hematologists, I was diagnosed with stage I CLL in June 2013 and clinically have been in watch and wait ever since. Watch and worry is plainly a better descriptive clinical term.

Some months ago, I met Andrew and Esther Schorr at the CLLPAG conference in Niagara Falls, Canada. I was there with my father, a retired physician, who was incredulous to hear that “watch and wait” was a real protocol when I told him that I have CLL. My hope was that this conference would make him better understand that under current science and prevailing clinical protocols, early treatment does not improve overall survival.

When diagnosed, and as a technologist at heart, I craved information to better understand CLL and its treatment. Like most other people, I continue to do a lot of research on CLL, and Patient Power is one of several regular “go-to” sources. At the CLLPAG conference, I recognized Andrew from his picture, and went up to him to think him for his hard work and advocacy.

More Read

7 Important Health-Related Reasons To Burn Excess Fat
The Big Payoff From Wellness and Prevention
Prenatal Yoga Tips For Beginners
These Are Some of the Technologies Behind Your Good Health
Kinvestix Workout Belt Provides Resistance–No Need to Wear Weights

Historically, my gregariousness gets me “volunteered” with some frequency. For example, many years ago, I complained about some things in my community. Little did I know that my letter of complaint was actually viewed as an offer to fix the issues and, ultimately, led to my election as Association President. This propensity and several conversations with Andrew have led to writing this blog the initial focus of which will be simply, life in watch and wait. I promise not to get morose or talk about my numbers, at least not too much, and only when it is relevant to you, the reader.

Although I do a lot of public speaking and writing on professional topics, I have never written a blog before. As a neophyte, we will be learning together. Talking in an open forum like this about something as personal as health is way outside my comfort zone. However, if this blog can help just one person, then it will be worth the effort. While I do have some ideas in mind, your input, thoughts and ideas will be critical to making this successful. So let’s get started!

Back story is important to setting context, and mine is no different.  First, I am writing under a pseudonym because of the bias against older workers and the chronically ill in corporate America. Unfortunately, and despite the benefits of our experience, we are nonetheless viewed as expensive liabilities. While discrimination due to health and age is illegal, it is very hard to prove. I work very near and occasionally in the public eye.   If you Google (interesting that a company name is now a verb) my real name, it would come up more than once.

This has created a duality in that none of my professional peers and clients has the slightest idea that I have cancer. They do notice that I am fanatical about exercise, health and nutrition.  I get teased about my ever-present bottle of hand sanitizer, chided about using WebEx in lieu of plane travel and avoid large meetings whereever possible.  If they only knew the real motivation.

Second, I am not angry nor feel the least bit bad or sorry for having cancer. I simply won the wrong lottery. The day I was diagnosed, I got onto my bicycle and rode 60 miles hard and fast. It was my way of saying to the CLL that it had picked a fight with the wrong guy. It may still win, but I will resist this to the last fiber of my being. Perhaps most importantly, I continue to look forward and steadfastly refuse to be a victim, look back and ask about what could have been.

Nonetheless, Led Zeppelin’s song “That’s the Way” did precipitate a small meltdown, in private, when the reality really hit hard that I DO have cancer, and there is nothing to that can be done about that. The idea I might not be able to be play and be with my family and friends hit home.

Third, you have to play the deck of cards life deals you, not the hand you want. My CLL diagnosis has been a motivation to get to a better place. Facing your mortality has that effect. Your hematologist saying he needs you to be strong in case they need to hit you with FCR also has that impact. In the first year of my diagnosis, I did three century rides in four weeks along with two metric centuries in between, I lost 26 pounds, and got into the best physical condition since my early 30s, a time nearly 25 years ago. I have been tested by a sports physiologist, and my VO2 is in the top 1 percent of all males my age. This puts me on a par physiologically with people in average health that are 25 years younger.   Being physically active is one way to feel empowered to fight back.

Fourth, I appreciate that I am the luckiest person around, CLL notwithstanding. I have a wonderful wife, a great family, a small but great circle of friends, and a fabulous support team that is truly interested in beating this. This includes an internist, hematologist, sports physiologist, therapist and an oncological nutritionist. I get such utter joy from riding my bike 100 miles and feeling the wind on my face. So what is not to like?

Well, the reality is that I do have a cancer that presently has no cure. And yes, every four months it is another trip to the hematologist to face Damocles sword. My white counts could easily skyrocket, my lymph nodes get really big, and my liver and spleen could get enlarged.   It is rather perverse that I am in the best shape possible in part to deal with the potential eventuality of getting “knocked down” by chemo. I am not sure what scares me more, the cancer or the destructive effects of chemo.

Finally, by far the hardest thing is having to tell friends and family that I have cancer. It is enormously painful. You end up ruining their day, and they don’t know what to say. I can deal with the cancer, but dragging loved family and friends down a couple of notches is really hard. Telling my children that I have cancer was one of the worst moments of my life. It took months of work with a therapist to craft a message that was focused on hope and that I would be in their lives for a long time.

Okay, so the above is my story, and I am sticking to it! There are a lot of topics and issues to cover, and each paragraph above could be its own conversation. I do want to delve into the duality of living with CLL, physical fitness and exercise, among others. Again, please send your thoughts and ideas. Thank you for reading!

Always hope. Never quit.

C.J. Chris

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

SpecialtiesWellness

Avoiding Accidents and Injury at the Gym

September 22, 2018
home DNA test
SpecialtiesWellness

Live A Better & Healthier Life By Solving Your DNA Puzzle!

July 9, 2019
SpecialtiesWellness

Iron Deficiency: What To Eat When Your Body Is Running Low On Iron

July 22, 2019
Image
eHealthWellness

Is Design Important in Healthcare?

June 23, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?