I had not planned to tell my wife about my CLL because I thought it would affect her mental health more then it affected my physical health. When she noticed I was visiting the doctor every 3 months she became curious about my health? It took me months to get her to relax that I was not "really" ill. When a partner shares their ill with a loved one some people may not know how to handle the information or know how to help? My wife's help was to make sure our meals were more healthy and she became aware of my over extending myself with doing tasks (my wife gives me 2 hours to do my maintenance around the property.) I think we know when our health becomes critical and we share our status with family members. I would like you to know that you get to make the choices in how to take care of your health which includes both your physical and mental health. There are team members who have been ill for 10, 20 or more years so Leukemia is not an illness that will disable a person quickly. I hope you can delay sharing your health news so family and friends are not worried about what they can not assist you with your illness. Learning about your illness will provide mental health regarding your future and when you should decide about treatment?

Hi Cathy, tough question… I would tell him. However, I would have a list of positive CLL facts to minimize the shock when he hears the word “cancer”. Surely he knows you’re a positive outlook woman, that will help as well.
In sickness and In health…
We support you and your decision

CLL is so slow moving (usually) either path does OK if you are not very symptomatic. Follow your heart.

Hi Cathy. What a hard decision. I know I would tell my husband . He would know something was wrong the moment I came through the door. It's hard to keep something like cancer to yourself. Good luck, praying for you..

always let them know, they will notice at some point, i told my partner straight away if anything happens to me she will be aware