Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency care for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, stroke symptoms, or bleeding that will not stop.
Living with a leukemia that may not require immediate treatment can cause uncertainty.
Cancer social workers, counselors, support groups, and patient organizations can provide emotional and practical support.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact the team urgently for fever or infection symptoms, rapidly increasing swelling, new shortness of breath, unusual bleeding, or sudden weakness.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Follow-up is needed during both active surveillance and treatment.
Frequency depends on symptoms, blood-count trends, therapy, and disease stability.
Visits may include:
Review of fatigue, infection, bleeding, weight change, and treatment effects
Examination of lymph nodes, liver, and spleen
CBC and blood chemistry tests
Review of medicines, interactions, and vaccination needs
Skin checks and age-appropriate cancer screening
Routine scans are not always necessary when CLL is stable and there are no new symptoms.
Trends and the overall clinical picture are more useful than one blood result.
Ask which changes require an earlier appointment.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a symptom that has lasted more than a couple of weeks without improving
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Chronic lymphocytic leukemia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.