Everyone with a chronic illness like CLL / SLL is on a journey. Sometimes it can be helpful to learn about another person’s story of diagnosis, coping with Watch and Wait, and treatment. We are fortunate to be able to share one such decade-long experience in the Cancer Health article A Leukemia Diary: Edward Ratner Advocates for Others Who Have CLL. Dr. Edward Ratner offers his memories through the lens of a physician with CLL who specializes in the care of older adults with advanced illness and as a CLL Society Support Group facilitator.
“Reflecting on your experiences is an important way to deal with illness over time,” according to Rabbi Rebecca Kamil, a healthcare chaplain who provides online emotional support through CLL Society’s Emotional & Spiritual Advocate Program. She often recommends the process of journaling to people she serves as a method to regularly think about and document feelings, especially for people who do not routinely share their CLL journey with family, friends, or in a support group.
If you have comments or questions about this article, you can contact Dr. Ratner directly at [email protected].
