I have SLL and go every three months for bloodwork and a pet scan every 6 months

Hi,
I find your case interesting, Edna, because I have been diagnosed (in July) with the same as you, indolent follicular lymphoma with essentially no symptoms. I mean how can you say for sure but it is not really affecting my sense of well being. I am 77 and feel a bit tired in the afternoon so have a rest, my appetite is good, I have not lost weight and I walk regularly. No real night sweats. So now it's watchful waiting.
The oncologist has scheduled my next blood tests for early December and said if everything is stable then they would do my blood work every four months thereafter. He feels that it is not appropriate to put me through treatment when there could be side effects and I would certainly be sicker than I am now. He also said, and I have read, that the prognosis is essentially the same if they start the treatments later, when I actually need them. So for now, I am a happy camper.
I hope we both can enjoy healthy living for many more years!😊🤞🙏

I really appreciate your answer! Your opinion will definitely stick with me as I am faced with choices in the weeks ahead. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences and feelings.

@A MyLymphomaTeam Member
Edna… I was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma Stage 3, 18mos ago, and have been on Watch & Wait this whole time. After my Pet Scan (how they staged me), they did bloodwork again at 3 weeks, and then again 3 months later (to have a pattern to follow). After that, we have done bloodwork and CT scans every 6 mos. From what I have researched and learned with my type, the longer I can wait before treatment, the better. This is because there is no cure, only management of this cancer. With treatment we are optimistic for a long remission, but it would be likely that another treatment would be necessary at some point…. And with the second round of treatments, your remission is shorter (typically), than the first time treatment. SO, for me, as long as I am not experiencing symptoms, and my oncologist is keeping close watch on me with scans and bloodwork, I feel
Watch &; Wait is better for me… (but that’s just me… it’s a different journey for everyone ❤️) … Prayers for you, Kathy p.s. I am 69 yrs old.

Mentioned Users

A MyLymph...

Thank you! My doctor has left it up to me to decide. He has brushed off any symptoms that might have been related to the cancer and said I could have chemo if I wanted. I’m not experiencing anything that is debilitating except that my persistent headache wears me out some days and I just go to bed early. If I am asleep I can’t feel the headache. 😁. I don’t want to have the expense and trauma of chemo if I don’t have to but I want the doctor to say, “I believe that chemo would improve your quality of life” or “As I look at all of the test results I feel that chemo is not warranted at this time.” Or, “I am going to check your viscosity to see if that is the cause of the headache.” Just saying, “I don’t know if WM is causing your headache, but if you want chemo to see if it goes away, we will do that,” is not enough for me. I have asked for a second opinion and am waiting for a call. In the meantime, the doctor scheduled me for labs just five weeks after the last ones. That seems too soon for me.