Hello from one southern girl to another, First know you are not alone in this and there are plenty of us out here you can talk to. Everything your feeling we all have been through as well. Tell us your diagnosis story, what phase are you in, etc. CML is a 'very manageable' disease and most people do wonderfully on Gleevec. The most obvious thing you'll notice is the fatigue, as time passes and you get mentally and physically strong again this will reduce to almost nothing for most people. The small bit a fatigue I battle with I can usually beat with a brisk walk. Exercise is good for the fatigue, the more you sit the more tired you feel. feet and hand cramping is also a common side effect but in most instances this also will reduce to almost nothing for most. Puffy eyes is another side effect but I think the earlier you take the meds (breakfast/lunch) the less the problem. Some experience a temporary skin rash but that to should go away. I found after the first six months the only thing I have left in side effects is the eye puffiness. Always take the medicine with a full meal (I take it in the middle of my meal, eat half, take my pill, finish my meal). Drink lots of water all day long, it reduces the toxins. Always check with your pharmicist before taking other medicine with Gleevec, there are few you do not want to take when taking gleevec, but I always check with my pharmacy before I take something new. Knowledge is power, so read up and learn as much as you can about the disease and the treatments available. I hope your response to Gleevec is quick. Take care and don't hesitate to ask questions. Brenda Morelli Mansfield, Texas Gleevec 5/04 PCRU 5/05
--- In [email protected], Kelly Ann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hello... > > My name is Kelly Ann . (aka : Ms Worry Wart ) . I'm 36 yrs old , married with 1 step daughter 21, a daughter 19 , and a son who will be 8 in October .I live in Tennessee . > I was diagnosed with CML 9 days before my birthday(july 29) . I was shocked, but not totally surprised . Somehow, I knew that cancer would be in my future . I didn't think it would be this early in my life . My mother passed away on March 7, 1988 of Multiple Myeloma and My father passed away on November 10, 2000 of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia . So, at this point, I'm not in a good frame of mind of thinking of beating this. However, My doctor has put me on Gleevec . Which has been a pain with the insurance company. My insurance refused to pay for any of Gleevec until the doctor appealed their decision. They agreed to pay 60 % of the cost . Well, you guys know that the medication cost nearly $3000. a month to be on it . Co -pay would be $1200 . My hubby only makes $2000. a month and that's with overtime . Anyway, I filled out papers to be on the Novartis Prescription program and I got approved for 30 days until the main paper was filled out . I received my first bottle of Gleevec > today . This may sound silly to you guys, but I sat and looked at the pill and cried for at least an hour . I'm wondering if this medication is going to work . I have heard stories about Bone Marrow Transplants . Basically , I scared and I feel alone . My husband is trying to understand and he's been very helpful . > > Anyway, What can I expect taking Gleevec? Can I do normal activities? Yes, I have asked the doctor, But he's never had CML . Yes, He's a professional, but I think you know what I'm saying . Any advice would be appreciated.... > > Blessings ! > > Kelly Ann in Tennessee ... > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> <font face=arial size=-1><a href="http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12kgdem5d/M=362339.6886522.7841160.1589681/D=grphealth/S=1705061628:TM/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1124224255/A=2894631/R=0/SIG=10pkrq6ru/*http://www.drugfree.org";>Need Help? Get Help! Tools and Strategies for Healthy Drug-Free Living</a>.</font> --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> New! Sign up for local CML support group meetings in your local community at http://cml.meetup.com Apply for Commercial Real Estate loans online and submit your deal to dozens of hungry lenders in just minutes. Loan programs for all types of business and commercial real estate. Apply anytime at http://realestatezoo.com CML (Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Support List) --------------------------------- Part Of CMLHope.Com An International Community Of CML Patients For more information: http://cmlhope.com Post Message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To No Mail/Web: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Digest: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change To Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] List Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] CML Group Web Site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CML/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
