Good morning
I am sitting here in sunny London thinking about 3 years ago today. That was the day I was diagnosed with CML. It was the first time I heard those now oh so familiar words. Naturally that was after my GP and haematologist both told me I didn't have leukaemia.........I guess I knew that there were different sorts of leukaemia but I never knew how many different types.
I was lucky enough to be diagnosed very early on, WBC only around 12-13 and I was only 72% PH+ve. I thought it sounded terrible and it wasn't until I found this site that I realised how lucky I was. I didn't like my first haematologist so the next day I found myself seeing Stephen Mackinnon at the Royal Free here in London - where I work!
It has been a funny old 3 years, I can't say that having cancer has made me a better person ( or even more horrible ), I am not one to wax lyrically about the changes to my life. It has undoubtedly interrupted my life, my family and our purses! I have just got on with it, with the help and support of my husband, my family, my donor sister, my wonderful friends and colleagues.
I have done glivec, bms and the 'mini' transplant and I am not going to comment on what is best. I was in the difficult situation that the glivec and bms worked very well but I was intolerant to both. It is so different for different people and I think that is the most important point.
At this moment in time I have had the easiest transplant ever (according to my doctors), I am virtually off all medication, no sign of any GVHD yet, and PCR negative. But this isn't the end of the story, I am expecting GVHD and also to need DLI. I know that there are bumps and problems ahead but this is the story so far.
I think the purpose of this post is just to say a few things
no one treatment works for everybody, there are choices and alternatives and for me I just get on and do it. There have been times when I spent a lot of time crying but here I am 3 years on hoping that we all do well.
Susan
