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When blood cancer does not go away

Living with a chronic blood cancer can be different from what many people expect after a cancer diagnosis. Some chronic blood cancers may require ongoing treatment, while others may be monitored for years before treatment is needed. This page brings together information, resources, and support to help you navigate life with a chronic blood cancer.

Watch and Wait

You may be worried if your doctor suggests that you wait before starting treatment. Watch and wait is an approach where your doctor monitors your cancer closely and delays treatment until the disease progresses.
It is often used at the beginning of slow-growing or chronic blood cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and some subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Watch & Wait (Active Surveillance)

Factsheet
Learn about the watch and wait approach, understand the benefits and find out what it means for you.
Download

Understanding cancer related fatigue and brain fog

Booklet
Learn about chemo brain and fatigue due to treatments, what it means, causes, side effects and how to cope.
Download

Managing Long-Term Side Effects With Amy Pulsifer

Podcast
Amy Pulsifer talks about her experience managing long term effects due to her Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).
Listen online

Cancer-Related Fatigue

Podcast
Rachelle Ramsay is a RN with her Certification in Oncology, currently working at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. Kent Parlee recently celebrated 36 years of marriage to his wife and best friend Cheryl. Kent and Cheryl enjoy spending time with family, travelling and volunteering at home and abroad. Kent is a CLL survivor.
Listen online

Understanding Chronic Cancer

Video
Learn ways to live better with a chronic cancer.
Watch online

Living with a Chronic Blood Cancer

Webcast
In this webcast, nurse and psychotherapist Bonney Elliott addresses the psychosocial impacts of living with a chronic blood cancer on quality of life, stress, and social and family relationships.
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When Cancer Takes an Emotional Toll on You

Webcast
A blood cancer diagnosis may unexpectedly pause some of your life goals and cause you a great deal of worry. As you navigate cancer treatment, it’s important to look after your mental health. Treatment for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has important benefits for people living with cancer.
Watch online

Fear of Cancer Recurrence

Video
Learn more about the fear of recurrence.
Watch online

Sleeping well with blood cancer, not always that easy

Webcast
Sleep problems such as insomnia, poor sleep quality, and irregular sleep-wake patterns are common in people with a blood cancer. Join Dr. Sheila Garland to learn about what’s getting in the way of a good night’s rest, and how to manage the underlying problems so you can enjoy more restorative sleep.
Watch online

Nutrition: The Power for Strength & Wellness in Blood Cancer

Webcast
Good nutrition is important throughout your cancer experience. Join Margaret Martin, RD, MS, LDN, CDCES to learn about the role nutrition plays in promoting health and wellness in people affected by a blood cancer.
Watch online

You are not alone.

Connect with a First Connection volunteer to learn about someone who has been through watch and wait or has adapted to a life with a blood cancer.
Access one-on-one personalized support

Experiences of others with a chronic blood cancer

Philippe Villemure      

Philippe Villemure

It’s important not to isolate yourself, to go to peer support group meetings and to eat healthy and exercise.

Quebec City QC
Canada

More Details

Chronic or Slow Growing Blood Cancers