@, legacyrock, there are studies being done using non chemo type drugs. I was diagnosed in November 2022 and needed immediate treatment due to critically low blood cell counts. I received 5 consecutive days of a chemo infusion of cladribine and then 8 weekly infusions of a monoclonal antibody, rituximab, which has a long track record of use for arthritis and other cancers. I achieved remission as evidenced by recovered blood counts and a followup bone marrow biopsy. Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) has a very high success rate for treatment and I can expect to go at least 10 years before requiring re-treatment. It is a chronic condition and monitoring of cell blood counts is essential to ongoing management. Dr. Kreitman at NIH is the leading expert and researcher for HCL. He happens to be doing a session for the HCL foundation on Nov. 8 and I strongly suggest that to you,
https://www.hairycellleukemia.org/calendar He will likely speak to the other non-chemo options being studied. He can also review your case and offer suggestions. I only found him after starting my chemo and have joined a study on HCL and COVID as well as benefitting from his insights on care/response along the way. I have found great support from a Facebook group too - hearing insights that my doc couldn't know for such a rare condition. I can also highly recommend it as well, https://www.facebook.com/groups/hairycellleukemiasupport. You are not alone - lean on those of use that have gone before, whether months or years beyond the scary parts.