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← Return to Hello! My sister ,age 74 has recently been diagnosed with CML
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Hello! My sister ,age 74 has recently been diagnosed with CML
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Jul 10 1:06pm | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
My recent CBC was wildly abnormal and I was referred to a hematologist. The only symptom I had was feeling “off” and thinking my thyroid was out of balance (I have Hashimoto’s and had a toxic thyroid in Aug 2023). He is pretty certain I have CML and has ordered a bone marrow biopsy. I just started Hydroxyurea. Needless to say, I’m scared. I am very active, doing water aerobics 1-2 hours a day 6 days a week with a busy social life. My meltdowns come in waves. After doing research about CML, now my biggest fear is what if it’s not CML and it’s AML? I’m not ready to cash in my chips, but can I really cope with everything ahead of me?
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Hi @mjbulte. Getting a diagnosis like this is like a rug being pulled right out from under you! Been there myself! I’m reaching right through the computer screen this morning with a huge bear hug for you…after that we’re going to take a deep breath and work through this together.
I went through a similar story 6 years ago when I was super healthy and active, then out of the blue…wham. AML. I wasn’t ready to cash in my chips yet either. So I launched into treatment head on and have been cancer free for 6 years…back to being super healthy and active (at 71). The diagnosis isn’t an automatic trip to pushing daisies up from the underside!
Whether you have CML or AML you’re already on top of it with your doctor. I know you’ll deal with whatever you need to! And I can already tell that you’re a positive, take charge person with your attitude and being so disciplined with your daily exercise. That all works hugely in your favor! It’s ok to have this roller coaster ride of emotions right now. You’re human. The initial waves of panic will level off and you’ll coast through this.
Your doctor will most likely run tests to determine if there are any genetic mutations that may be causing your CML/AML. That can determine treatment. Since both of these are a type of leukemia, a bone marrow issue, a bone marrow biopsy has been order to go right to the heart of your blood production center. The test will show your marrow’s overall health in being able to produce healthy blood cells and can help determine the type of disease and what the treatment will be.
So before we put the cart before the horse, let’s find out for sure if it’s CML or AML.
When is your biopsy?