1. Never use Google for any answers to my condition. Never.
2. Attitude...stay positive. Realize this sucks, but remember many others have it much worse than I do.
3. Live in the moment. No one is guaranteed tomorrow whether you have cancer or not, so be present in this moment.
4. Fight hard... I am stronger and braver than I ever realized.
5. Stay active. Wheels in motion, stay in motion. I love Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pickleball. All learned hobbies since my diagnosis.
6. Be my best friend. No one in the world will be a better friend to me, than me. Give myself grace when needed. Allow quiet time at the end of each day for reflection.

To you reading this...I wish you peace. Find the inner strength to put your mind in peace. You deserve it.

Karen- Nebraska

Yes! What else is there? I trained martial arts seriously for 22 years. I knew that I was sick but, I did not know with what. Those years of training were the best things that I EVER learned! Change the subject. Get up and do something. Go help others suffering more than you! That is humbling! CHANGE THE SUBJECT IN YOUR MIND. Our bodies go where the mind takes us. That is how I have stayed alive not knowing what was making me I’ll and without health care for thirty years.

Jesus Christ and His Word

I have been on watch and wait for almost 2 years now. I have no symptoms except for my high lymphocytes. I am 80 yrs. old and have never been sick in my life except now since my CLL diagnosis. Yes, I feel depressed sometimes. What keeps me going is, my husband and I have 2 couples we have been hiking with since 2018 and we hang out together many weekends. Meet at each other's houses and go to wineries and listen to music also rent air B&B's a couple of times a year at the beach. When we are all together, I don't think much about my cancer.

What helps me through this journey is my trust in God, and Jesus leading the way, my meds, as much as I’m sick of taking them! My dog Woody, he is a big lift in my days. He makes me laugh all the time! I also have a lot of support from family and friends.