Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Dear Editor:

I want to pass on my thanks to Dr. Peter Galvin on his column Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in The RT on May 4, 2023. I developed Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) at age 70, the median age he reported before it was diagnosed. In my late 60s, I was coming down with multiple cases of severe bronchitis which led to hospitalizations for pneumonia on a few occasions. I am an active exerciser and fitness devotee and a high-level Standup Paddler. My field was and is still Health and Wellness and I practiced what I preached, nutrition and sleep wise. My pulmonologist finally sent me to a hematologist/oncologist who assessed me and diagnosed CLL at age 70. At the time he just said there was no treatment just go home and enjoy life. He did suggest seeing an immunologist who got me started on Gammaguard (IgG), an immune booster. Next, the hematologist reported a new medication to build the immune system called Imbruvica which I take every day. I have been on it prophylactically ever since. I see these doctors plus my pulmonologist two times a year for blood tests to check for the markers Dr. Galvin pointed out, i.e., red and white blood cells, platelets among a few of the inflammatory markers as well as hemoglobin, B and T cells markers for antibodies and disease fighting. I belong to the Immune Deficiency Foundation and have their Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases of which there are 350 types. Their website is http://www.primaryimmune.org for any of your readers who may be dealing with immunosuppressant diseases. I am still wearing my mask when in crowds, wash my hands multiple times a day.
Yours in Health,

John W. Roberts