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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
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?
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Lori, thank you so much. You have no idea how much your response means to me. I hope someday I can do the same for someone else. Until then, oof, this is a LOT. We’re waiting on insurance approval of the bone marrow biopsy so it can be scheduled. I’m scheduling my echocardiogram today. A lit of blood was drawn last Thursday and waiting on those results. Another draw on July 18 to be done.
We’re scheduled to travel 2,000 miles away to visit family and friends for 10 days in just less than 2 weeks. I just can’t decide if we should try to go or not. Maybe reschedule for a later date. But at a later date will I not be able to travel? Gosh, it’s got my head swimming.
I feel better some of the time on the Hydroxyurea and sometimes a bit sluggish, flushed, queasy but nothing majors, then that goes away and I feel better again. I just found out my last CBC was 8/17/24 and it was normal except WBC were 14.2 and platelets were high end of normal. Of course my 6/26/25 CBC was horribly bad with WBC 21.4,
platelets over 1,000 plus other dismal readings. At least my hemoglobin was normal!
I must be brave but my armour is cracking 🥴