Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Prognostic Indicators

There are all different versions of CLL. Some just poke along as a largely indolent disease that don’t really cause a lot of problems. Some people have a different type of CLL though, that is far more aggressive.

And of course technically this disease, this type of leukemia, is a melanoma - a Malignant Cancer.

Everyone reacts in their own way to hugely significant life events. Such as the day that the doctor tells you that it sure appears that you are afflicted with a non-curable form of cancer that affects the bone marrow, the blood, and the lymphatic system.

But that everything is going to be OK because they can make you feel better by filling you body with various poisons and chemotherapy. As long as your money or your health insurance holds old. Say what? Would you mind repeating that last part doc?

Early on in this journey it was very important to me to know my prognostic indicators. Statistically where did I sit in that bell curve? On the left side it says Death, and the right end of the X axis the curve is labelled Long Life/Minimal Problems.

I was very fortunate that at the time I lived in Europe and had a good job. And I was equally blessed that Dr. Terry Hamblin in England was willing to see me and test me for my prognostic indicators.

His tests determined that while I was not at the very far left hand side of the curve, that unfortunately I was unmutated which meant that I was well left of center (sounds like my political and philosophical leanings). The overall result of his testing was that I was somewhat more likely to have major problems (read suffering and then a slow painful death) with the disease somewhat sooner rather than somewhat later.

I guess there is a natural progression in life. And if you are somewhat lucky you get towards the final chapter(s) of this journey, and you look back, and are rather satisfied with your life. I don't have many regrets.

I have been so lucky. I’ve gone so many places, done so many different and interesting things. And along the way I’ve been fortunate enough to have done a few really beautiful and wonderful ladies too.

Now I just enjoy each day as it comes. And at night I prefer to snuggle up to my little furry black doggie rather than a really hot woman. If today I get to the end of the final chapter, that is OK. I would prefer that it continue on a good bit longer, but only if I feel pretty good, and I am happy, and I continue at peace with myself.

I have seen far too many people suffer horribly for the last year(s) of their lives. My aunt Friede, my Grandmother, and from long distance on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean my Mother.

I really don’t want any part of this shit. Honest. That is why the Good Lord made Dirty Harry Special 44 magnum handguns with hollow points. A rather permanent solution when applied to the head, for sure.

John Lennon described it as getting out of one car, and getting into another. Well…maybe. Time will tell, huh?