Approaching the End of Watch and Wait ?

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with CLL 6 years ago and have been in W & W

stage due to CLL Phase 0-1.

So far,I have been very fortunate in having no symptoms

(except Fatigue-which may be age related)

My 2nd hematologist/oncologist has been quite content with

doing CBC every 3-6 months. He seems to feel that I do not

have CLL even though my initial cytology and phenotyping (by

another hematologist) led to the diagnosis. So far my

absolute lymphocyte counts have been just above the

threshold for CLL diagnosis and the % lymphocyte count has

been slightly higher than diagnostic levels.

I asked him about the cytology and his response was that I

have and will have abnormal cells (my " new normal " ).

I have had continuing Basal Cell and Squamous cell skin

cancers and several MOHS surgeries and biopsies. A recent

MOHS revealed that a squamous cell lesion was invasive and

had invaded to the perineural space(?) I had radiation

therapy (50 Gy fractionated dose) to my right temple.

I am now being followed by a head/neck surgeon to assure

that there is no involvement of the lymph nodes. So far so

good.

A recent " incidental finding " by ultrasound was that I have

several solid nodules and cysts in my Thyroid. One of the

nodes was suspicious and was biopsied.

I will get the pathology results next week.

My questions are: 1)After 6 years, should I become more

assertive in asking for more complete blood tests than a

CBC?, 2) should I seek a second opinion from a hematologist

with a CLL sub-specialty?

Thank you.

O