CML (stage 1) treatments and dietary management.

Good morning @annareenu. Blood cancers can be sneaky because some may develop slowly over time. In the case of your father with CML, his condition was found in random blood test before his cataract surgery.

In the early stages of the disease there are often no symtoms. But over time, your dad may start experiencing some of these potential symptoms as the immature cells start crowding out his healthy blood cells.
Bone pain. Bleeding easily. Feeling full after eating a small amount of food.
Fatigue. Fever. Weight loss without trying. Loss of appetite.
Pain or fullness below the ribs on the left side. Night sweats.

Since your dad (and you) are new to this diagnosis, I’m posting some links below to reliable information sources on CML for you.

From the Mayo website:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352417
Mayo Clinic also has this CML educational series online which is very informaional and helpful.

– Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient Education Series https://mccmscontent.mayo.edu/LSC/ChronicMyeloidLeukemiaPatientEducation/content/index.html#/

These two informational articles are from Healthline, explaining CML and its symptoms.
https://www.healthline.com/health/cml/chronic-myeloid-leukemia-symptoms
https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-myeloid-leukemia/living-with-cml/effects-of
We also have a number of members with CML and I thought this discussion would be a good place for you to begin meeting some them.

~I've had CML for 20 years and want to encourage others
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-myelogenous-leukemia-cml/
With @suzie71 @pam62 @quita123 @bobmon @ericloomis @babyjakejake @anglis and others who have CML and have shared their experiences with the forum.

There are quite a few other discussions on Connect. You can find them by typing in CML or Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the upper search bar. A list of conversations will pop up for you.
Here’s another discussion:
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-myeloid-leukemia-1/
Now, as for treatments, diet, medications and such… Diet won’t change the diagnosis or outcome. It’s important, of course, to eat a healthy, well balanced diet with good proteins, low in saturated fats, no excess sugars or fried foods, etc.
Medications/treatments can vary depending on the progression of his disease. His hematologist oncologist will help your dad make these decisions according his needs when the time is right. He may need nothing for a while and will be in what’s considered the watchful waiting period. I know it feels like your dad’s now waiting for the other shoe to drop. And once that idea of ‘cancer’ is planted in his head it will change his perspective. But this is slowly developing and can take many years to progress to the point of treatment. He doesn’t have to live in fear. ☺️

How often does he have followup blood work?

Thank you @loribmt. I really appreciate your time and effort.

He checks blood sugar and cholesterol level every two month interval, as he is having diabetes for the past 10 years.

I recently was diagnosed with CML and, after my bone marrow biopsy, it was confirmed last week. I was prescribed Imatinib and started it yesterday. The anxiety has been the worst part since it was told to me outta no where from a yearly physical and blood test. I thought I was pretty healthy.

I read positive things and nerve racking things. The doctor says people live a normal life with CML, decades, and then I read someone didn't live 4 years.

I'm worried about how the disease and the side effects of the drug are going to hinder my ability to work.

Bennyc, same feelings here as my journey mirrors yours. Routine bloodwork and the next thing I knew I was sitting in the Hematologist's office hearing about CML. Bone marrow biopsy is next week. I’m taking 500mg of Hyroxyurea daily with minimal side effects so far. I go from scared to confident on a daily basis. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We can support each other as we walk this walk.

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#survival-rates-by-phase
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?

I will keep you both posted on my progress with Imatinib. Doctor is giving me weekly blood pulls for 2 weeks, then monthly for 2 months. Then I go back in to see him and go over the progress.