The journey so far…
My "New Normal" really began in September 2017 when I walked, slightly dazed, out of my doctor's surgery at the end of a busy work day. Routine blood …
When the Doctor Becomes the Patient – A Blood Cancer Journey
Some people find it is a bit strange when a doctor is the one who is sick. In this 30 min talk I explain what it was like for me, and share a few less…
Letters to Mom
This is more or less written for me as I cope with the grief of the loss of my mom last month. I also wanted a way to remember my childhood, and was t…
Ibrutinib and Venetoclax Together in CLL
Blood Cancer Uncensored is honoured to have been selected as a partner site to the CLL Pharmacist, and is delighted to welcome their founder Tom Henry…
Two more vaccines successful in clinical trials – working in UK, South African, and South American variants. Some data in immune compromised
Yesterday we had some more great news on the vaccine front. Since all the current vaccines work in a similar way because they use the original COVID19…
Misinformation and Blood Cancer
Blood cancer is so rare and divided into so many variants…
Dramatic early COVID19 vaccine effect in Israel: 60% reduction in infections
A dramatic plunge in positive coronavirus swab rates have been seen in the first 50,000 over 60's vaccinated in Israel. Very encouraging data has been…
Do Covid19 vaccines stop the disease spreading?
Vaccines work by preventing infections altogether or by reducing the severity of disease. But do the new COVID19 vaccines also prevent us from passing…
Are COVID-19 vaccines made from aborted babies? What is HEK293?
No babies were aborted in order to make COVID-19 vaccines. But a human cell line originating from an embryo was used (HEK293). This article briefly explains the science and ethical thinking about the vaccines.
COVID19 infection, antibodies and vaccination – video explanation
Right now 1 in 30 Londoners are infective for COVID19 and the NHS here is in crisis. What do we know about how the body fights this disease. Why do some people end up in hospital? How can a blood saturation monitor help you? What do we know about antibodies?
Why is the UK delaying the second dose of COVID19 vaccines – the evidence explained
The UK Government medical advisors have made a pragmatic decision to delay the second doses of COVID19 vaccines to up to twelve weeks. It is believed that this is better for the whole population. We examine why.
What is the evidence for the use of COVID19 vaccines?
Over the next few articles, I will answer questions about COVID19 vaccines based on their published clinical research. Today: "Do some people get COVID19 despite being vaccinated?"
How well do vaccines work in blood cancer patients? The evidence for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
How well do vaccines work in patients with blood cancer? This study looked at treated and untreated patients with CLL to assess vaccine response rates.
Volunteering for a monoclonal antibody COVID19 clinical trial
It must be stressed that this is of course still an experimental treatment, although there is clearly a lot of emerging evidence that antibodies are important in fighting COVID19. So there is a reasonable hope that recipients of this treatment like this will most likely experience at least some degree of protection from the COVID19 virus which is not dependent on their own immune system.
Top Blood Cancer Uncensored Posts of 2020
Blood Cancer Uncensored was born during the first lockdown. Many of these posts outline reliable information about COVID19 in an easy to understand style.
How prayer helped me in my blood cancer journey
This website is run by a group of authors of various faith backgrounds. And I am always on the look out for new volunteers of all faiths or none. We a…
Should Blood Cancer Patients take the COVD19 vaccine?
All I want for Christmas is a Covid19 Vaccine. Tomorrow the UK will become the first county to vaccinate members of its population with an authorised and fully-tested vaccine against Coronavirus. Considering most of us had not even heard of coronavirus a year ago this is a remarkable feat of modern science.
Finding Christmas
What a strange year 2020 has been! Prior to the beginning of this year, I believe many of us had plans, hopes, and resolutions which quickly faded as …
Nathaniel’s health story and trip to the UK where he got diagnosed with AML
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NATHANIEL NABENA'S JOURNEY FROM AFRICA TO LONDON Nathaniel was a bright young boy growing up in Nigeria. He was doing well at schoo…
Venetoclax and obinutuzumab funded in England by NICE, acalabrutinib licensed- the end of FCR chemotherapy for CLL?
Today NICE announced that they have agreed to fund Venetocolax plus obinutuzamab for all first line patients with CLL who want to take it in England. …
Covid vaccine news – what it means for us
Yesterday the world was given great news. This was perhaps the most positive pieces of news since the pandemic began. Understandably government figure…
What can I do to live longer with blood cancer?
What can we do to improve our chances of living for many years after a blood cancer diagnosis? Covers accepting treatment, healthy living, and mental health.
How long will I live with blood cancer?
How long will I live with blood cancer? What is the survival rate? How can we handle such frightening questions? A hope filled approach.
UK government advises all blood cancer patients to stop going out to work or shops
I got an email from the UK government advising a return to a limited form of shielding today. In particular there is strong advice to avoid visiting a…
FCR Diary – Cycle 4 to 6 and my reflections
This post concludes my FCR chemotherapy treatment diary from two years ago. It is a warts and all story, and if you decide to read it please re…
FCR Diary – Home at last and Cycle Three
This is a continuation of my FCR diary from two years ago. If you haven't read the previous articles here they are: The Day Leukaemia Changed My Lif…
FCR diary – Cycle 2 as an Inpatient
Today we continue publishing my two year old treatment diary. Please remember these posts come with a health warning. My experience will not be your e…
FCR Treatment Diary – an unexpected hospital admission
This is a continuation of a warts and all diary of my FCR treatment which happened two years ago and is now being published on the open web for the fi…
More than just a website – Join us!
Blood Cancer Uncensored is a community effort. We are a group of people affected by blood cancer who are committed to supporting and informing others …
Perspective in the Midst of Troubles
I have never seen really, really extreme weather where I live. Yeah, I was around for the Blizzard of 1977 in Western New York, but I was a kid and it…
FCR Treatment Diary – Gratefulness during Cycle One
Two years ago this week I started chemotherapy as part of the FLAIR trial. Here I share my diary from that time. Please turn away if you are the sort …
FCR Chemotherapy diary – Treatment Looms
A friendly warning message As I explained yesterday, I am two years out this week from starting FCR chemotherapy. Spoiler alert: the treatment worked …
Two years ago I started FCR Chemotherapy
This week marks the two year anniversary of me starting FCR chemotherapy. The FCR stands for Fludarabine, Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab. This is stil…
Diagnosing and Understanding Cancer related fatigue
A while back I found a great article on fatigue aimed at doctors but understandable to I would expect most of us who read this site. It’s all about ca…
Nutrition Discussion – What drives our choices?
How do I decide what to eat? Someone offers it and I want to be agreeable = SOCIAL I like the taste, the flavour/aroma just before it enters my mouth.…
Healing is a Journey
I cut my finger a few days ago. I was riding my bike....no, I was doing archery....no, I was skydiving...no, I was fixing something in the house. All …
OXFORD Vaccine Trial Resumes
Earlier in the week it was announced that following an unusual illness arising in one of 30,000 people who have so far taken the Oxford vaccine trial …
Inflammation – Where’s the fire?
Inflammation is like a fire in the body that triggers an alarm to alert me to a crisisThe alarm gets different names… such as joint pain, indigestion …
Why “remission” can feel like a crushing blow
I found finishing chemo and being told I was in remission the most difficult time emotionally. It was worse than the initial diagnosis time. Worse than actually going through chemo. Worse than being in hospital with life threatening infections.
Health Before Fitness
It is not unusual for people to take up fitness activities in the hope of becoming healthy. Fitness is really an expression of health suggesting that …
One-Pointed Attention – What is that?
Humans have wonderful minds and mine is always busy. I will often find myself thinking about the past or worrying about the future. And yet I must adm…
Riding A Bike
This is not a picture of me. But perhaps it could be. Recently, my husband bought used bikes for both of us. We are having such a wonderful summer, ev…
Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS) is an Emergency we must ALL be alert to.
Did you know that Tumor Lysis Syndrome can occur spontaneously even for patients not receiving treatment. We all should know the symptoms of TLS as it…
Intermittent Fasting
When a new idea is presented, our tendency is to defend what is familiar to us. Nothing could be more sacred that our habitual ways of eating and drin…
Which Medicines Treat COVID-19? – Dexamethasone? Hydroxychloroquine? Antivirals? Monoclonal Antibodies?
Cut through the controversy and find out which medicines have been proven to work in Covid19 in randomised control trials.
Breathing Part 3 – Nose Breathing can have a profound health benefit
The conclusion of the Planet Health Breathing can save your life series.
The future of CLL treatment – time limited combination treatments?
What is your goal for treatment? Getting rid of as much CLL as possible and having a long remission? Or containing the CLL and putting it into reverse for a long time?
Bayer/Monsanto Roundup litigation – a non-lawyer’s view
In today's post Scott shares his own personal reflections on this lawsuit. This does not constitute legal advice and anyone involved in this case is a…
Interview with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Surivor Sharon Edwards
Told by doctors she was going to die, Sharon Edwards has survived ten years following a diagnosis of high grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Her type of DLBL was aggressive, and needed aggressive treatment. Sharon shares her experiences with us in this interview.
The importance of routine for health
In this introduction to last weeks regular Zoom call Eric Clark shared a conversation starter on the subject of building a healthy routine. …
What is Duvelisib?
Tom Henry is the CLL Parmacist, and one of our authors. Join him as he introduces us to Duvelisib.
Catastrophic System Failure-Why the Support Group Concept is so Important
This life is so strange. We hopefully live life as healthy individuals at least until age 40 or age 50, but inevitably, these bodies break down. Then,…
Staying safe from Covid19 as lockdown eases
"I do not think many of us will be going clubbing just yet" How to stay safe as COVID lockdowns ease.
Breathing Part Two: What does the science say?
When we are challenged to learn something new as children, we usually rely on what others say. It may be a parent, a teacher, a book or a TV program. …
A Big Not Scary Answer
WHAT COMES NEXT Shane Scott (all rights reserved) Death never hurts. Dying usually does. Living, that hurts most of all. That might sound clever or ev…
And for our next star – Scott
Yes THAT Scott for those who knew him in another life. The recruitment rate is hotting up. Two new bloggers in as many days! This one will be bit of a…
Introducing Tom Henry the CLL Pharmacist
It is our great honour to welcome the seventh member of the writing team here at Blood Cancer Uncensored: Tom Henry who is a specialist pharmacist, a …
Can we ‘think away’ pain?
This post was first published in November 2019 Many years ago (decades actually), I watched a child screaming in fear as a Doctor prepared an injectio…
Breathing Part One: What are we doing wrong?
Welcome to a new Planet health series exploring how learning to breathe in a different way might improve your energy levels. Join Eric as he introduce…
Custom blood cancer search
Use this search engine to find quality information form our hand-picked blood cancer websites. This customised google search tool will help you find a…
Handling difficult emotions – the role of friends and therapy
A very difficult childhood. Bereaved of her father at the age of nine. Taken into care. A teenage rebel. Bereaved again of her beloved sister when a y…
Clonal evolution for dummies
In this Blood Cancer for Dummies article the focus is on clonal evolution which is the process by which cancer cells can acquire resistance to treatme…
What would I do without you?
This post was originally published in November 2019 Thank you for all the kind thoughts and comments since I’ve been doing these posts on my CLL. I ge…
So what’s wrong with you?
This post was originally published in early October 2019 I've been quiet for a while recently (I told you - this replaces my sessions with my beloved …
The Fatal Sip
My friend texted me in a panic one morning. She was asking for prayer as she had drunk some rancid cream. She followed that text up with another that …
Where would we be without family and friends?
This article was originally published in late September 2019 As I sit here in a little slice of paradise thanks to the largesse of a much loved friend…
Taking control of our health issues
This post was originally written in September 2019 I know a number of people in my network are fighting various forms of cancer and (from our chats) i…
Introducing Mike Gibson
Introducing our 6th blog author here at Blood Cancer Uncensored. Maybe you could be next?
Planet Health in a Nutshell
https://youtu.be/7g7a6SUOYBA Self-Health and Medicine - not a Competition…
No Second wave? Long-term COVID19 herd immunity already? Science suggests variable and long-lasting coronavirus protection.
Previously we discussed the leaked news that the Oxford vaccine is producing both an antibody response and a T-cell response. This we noted was …
Will the Oxford vaccine work? Initial results in context – the beginning of the end for COVID-19?
"Oxford vaccine causes double defence against COVID-19" was the overnight breaking news in the Telegraph. I cannot confirm or deny this leak. But this article aims to put it in context.
Is Health a Choice?
Depending upon the moment I ask you this question, you may answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Modern life seems to be a competition for our time and attention. Eve…
The Itch from Within-Hyper IgE Syndrome or something else?
This is a very serious post. I do not have any jokes about pets or condiments this time. As I felt sickness overcome me three times in the last 2 week…
Dealing with the threefold tyranny of a damaged immune system (Infections, Inflammation, Fatigue)
What can we do when cancer and chemo have led to a trail of destruction in our immune systems?
Welcome to Planet Health
Diverse experiences have shaped me, including living in Switzerland for a year and then Congo-DRC for 6 years. I was involved in community development…
The View from Above
We enjoyed some well-deserved time off this week. It is a beautiful summer here in Western New York, and the weather has been beyond excellent. Some s…
Top 30 Leukemia blogs list includes Blood Cancer Uncensored
This blog was only launched in May and so we are honoured to have been included in the top 30 Leukemia blogs selected by Feedspot. There are lots of o…