@bradycardia Welcome to Mayo Connect! Sharing positive stories like yours of being in remission for 9 years after treatment for HCL (hairy cell leukemia) is such an inspiration for others.
I hope you’ll consider popping into some of conversations for members with HCL. Being able to offer hope to someone who is newly diagnosed can make such a huge difference in their perspective going forward.

Here is a link to the HCL conversations: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/

As for comments regarding collateral damage from our treatments for blood cancers, many drugs, from OCT meds, supplements, to Chemo may all have the potential down the road to cause some side effects. When you think about it, really anything we put into our bodies leaves an impact of some description.
Chemotherapy isn’t a treatment taken lightly by patients or the doctors who prescribe it. When it’s used, there is the goal of controlling the progression or hopefully eradicating cancer cells with a risk vs reward factor.
From my own experience, seven years ago I was in the fight for my life with AML…aggressive chemo for an aggressive leukemia. Believe me, I wasn’t worried about ‘the future’ of what those drugs may cause because I was more concerned about the immediacy of the situation! There would be no future without receiving the chemo. These drugs can buy us precious time.
Having talks with my hematologists and transplant doctor, I’ve learned to not focus on ‘what if’ scenarios. IF something happens, we’ll deal with it then. But the risk is low and I’m not going to waste a moment worrying about that possibility. I’ve had 7 amazing years at this point which I would not have had without the chemo; I’d have been long gone. And you’ve had 9 wonderful years in remission as well! These nasty drugs can achieve miracles for so many of us.
Wishing you a Happy New Year and continued excellent health! ☺️

Considering it’s almost a decade ago, you may not recall but what were your symptoms when you were diagnosed?

@bradycardia Clarification: I was first diagnosed with HCL in 2011 and was treated with pentostatin. In 2016 it showed up again and I received cladribine to put it into remission again.