Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

[txpitdog]

Anybody have this or have a loved one that's fought it? Just found out my father in law, Dave, has it, possibly developed from his exposure to Agent Orange during his tour in Vietnam. I'm generally the type of guy to immediately block this kind of stuff out and just tell myself everything is going to be fine, so worries. But there's nothing a-ok about cancer, even though it sounds like this kind is slow moving with high remission rates.

I would sure appreciate everyone's prayers for my FIL and the family, and if anyone's been through this, anything you could offer as information, experience, recommendations, or just things to look into would be very much appreciated as we take our first step toward supporting Dave.

[Bowtech Lefty]

Prayers sent for your FIL.

[nursejenn]

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Most definitely prayers for your father in law!

I would, if he hasn't already, be looking at getting in touch with the local (county) VA rep and filing a claim. My dad was diagnosed about 21 years ago when I was in high school with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and it was linked back to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. It was a rough 4ish years until he was in remission (has been ever since) but the lasting effects of the chemo, radiation and bone marrow transplant have left him with other health issues. The VA coordinates (didn't at the time because the link was established midtreatment) and paid for all of his medical care plus 100% service related disability... Feel free to PM me and I'll see if I can get more info for you tomorrow if ya want... Dealing with the VA can be a daunting task for sure.

[18ncs]

Prayers sent.

I don't know anything about it.

[Slewfoot]

A lady in my family has this and was diagnosed about 7 or 8 years ago. Because it is "chronic" the doctor keeps telling her that she will grow old and die of something else besides this. She has not had to have any chemo for this as yet and keeps tabs on her blood levels. This is very much less dangerous that "acute" which would be life threatening. In my uninformed knowledge and what I understand, "chronic" does not go into "acute". However, prayers sent.

[txpitdog]

Most definitely prayers for your father in law!

I would, if he hasn't already, be looking at getting in touch with the local (county) VA rep and filing a claim. My dad was diagnosed about 21 years ago when I was in high school with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and it was linked back to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. It was a rough 4ish years until he was in remission (has been ever since) but the lasting effects of the chemo, radiation and bone marrow transplant have left him with other health issues. The VA coordinates (didn't at the time because the link was established midtreatment) and paid for all of his medical care plus 100% service related disability... Feel free to PM me and I'll see if I can get more info for you tomorrow if ya want... Dealing with the VA can be a daunting task for sure.

Jenn thank you. The VA is how they discovered it. He also has some other disability claims linked from agent orange, and it sounds like they are taking care of him pretty good. Their initial reaction was to go straight to MD Anderson, but the VA facility and doctors were so good that they are just going to stay with the VA.

Is there anything we or he can do to prepare for chemo or whatever treatment they prescribe? His lymph nodes in his throat are swollen, so I think he's past the stage that doesn't require treatment (yet).

Thanks again all for the help and prayers.