Welcome to Mayo Connect, @bennyc. It’s nerve-racking to receive a diagnosis like CML of the blue. As @mjbulte shared in her reply to you, your journeys are remarkably similar. Many types of blood cancers can take years to progress without any obvious symptoms. So patients are caught unawares when the labs turn up with a surprise…or maybe shock is a better word. I can relate…

Chronic lymphatic leukemia has seen so many advancements in treatments over the years, with targeted meds and biologics, that statistics are showing a healthy, longterm survival rate…just like your doctor said.

Here’s an excerpt from Healthline.com. It was newly updated just a few days ago:
“ According to large 2006 study of a newer drug called imatinib (Gleevec), there was an 83 percent survival rate after five years for those who received this drug. A 2018 study of patients consistently taking the drug imatinib found that 90 percent lived at least 5 years.”

Link to the entire article:
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-myeloid-leukemia/outlook-life-expectancy
From Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352417

There are several members in the forum who have CML. If you haven’t read through this discussion already, I think you’ll be encouraged by @suzie71 and her story:

~I've had CML for 20 years and want to encourage others
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia-cml/
If I may make a suggestion…try to avoid reading those negative stories. We each have our own, unique journeys and the best we can do for ourselves is remain positive and forward focused! So try to maintain normalcy in your life, stay active, eat healthy and consider that CML is a chronic issue that you’ll live with.
Will you share with us how you’re doing on the Imatinib?