Hello.
I am 54M. I was diagnosed with CML on October 5, 2017 after a complaint of pain in the left abdomen (due to enlarged spleen, as it turned out on the USG). WBC was at 180,000. A week later FISH and Bone Marrow tests confirmed CML.JAK was negative. PCR was about 20% IS. I was initially on Hydorxyurea for about 10 days. Started Imatinib 400mg from October 13.
CBC on October 30 showed WBC at 4500 and no abnormalities. Next appointment is on November 28. Doctor says I will do well. I have resumed normal routine from November 1.
I am not experiencing any major side effects except some change in bowel movement and puffed up/ bloodshot eyes. My Hb is low (8.9) and I have been prescribed an Iron supplement.
While daytime is OK, every night I am troubled and scared by the thought that I have cancer.
I Have been reading everything I can lay my hands on about CML and getting used to the terminology. I came across this forum while searching the net. I have read a few of the threads and feel somewhat comforted now.
That's my Introduction!