Hello to everyone! I, too, was dxed in 1998 and then, after a horrendous year on PegIntron (slow release Interferon) that did nothing to stop the CML, went onto the STI571 trial. Six months later: incredibly improved. A year later: yoyo-ing between "undetectable" and "a smidgen still showing." And that's the way it stands as I celebrate my 71st birthday: mostly undetectable and then, from time to time, a reminder that the CML is still there although being held at bay. In 2000, when I was finally able to get out of bed, I desperately needed to recover my stamina and muscle strength. So I took up Argentine tango, something so foreign to my former life that I can't fathom how I chose it but it was a godsend, rebuilding my stamina and helping me focus on something completely other than illness. In 2001 I was able to go back to work, and am still working with no plans to stop. So God bless all of us who have been tested but keep on with our lives, and have even learned to explore areas that never occurred to us before the wake-up call. Vivi
On Oct 18, 8:58 pm, ken roberson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi to everyone battling CML and their caregivers, > > We made it! > > It has been ten years since I was diagnosed with CML at age 56. I was > the manager of the Red Cross unit in Asheville, N.C. which had > included a Regional Blood Bank, I was feeling great and doing lap > swimming at the local YMCA each week, and I could not later believe > what I asked the Hematologist when he gave me the news. > > "Doctor, are sure that is my blood test as I am feeling too good to be > sick?" > > It was indeed my test results, and I like others who are notified, I > then attempted to learn as much as possible about the disease. > Thankfully, I found this web site in addition to the Leukemia > Society's web site that was able to assist me in my journey. > > I was one of the original patients on the STI571 (later called > Gleevec} drug trials at Johns Hopkins Hospitals after Interferon > totally failed to slow down the disease at another Center. The > journey has not always been level, including a later battle with > prostate cancer, but it has been interesting and challenging. > > I've met some great medical professionals at three Comprehensive > Cancer Centers, consulted medical professionals at other locations, > met many who have been challenged with cancer along with their > caregivers, friends have stepped forth to offer their encouragement, > my faith has become much deeper (if you do not have a religious > background, I would encourage you to at least explore the possibility > that God does exist with powers greater than you can possible > imagine), and of course my family who has been with me every step of > the way. > > If it sounds that I am enthusiastic about life, I am. There is always > something interesting that can be learned, volunteering helps you as > much as it helps others, and if you start to get discouraged you know > that there are others somewhere in the world who are worse off than > yourself. My wife/partner and I were even fortunate enough to take an > extended trip to Alaska a few years ago. > > While CML cannot yet be eliminated (even those who have a BMT > sometimes experience the return of CML), Gleevec and some of the newer > drugs can at least keep the disease "under control" for most people. > I fully anticipate that a true cure will be developed sometime in the > future. > > Best wishes and prayers to all those who have been touched by cancer. > > Ken -- a cancer survivor. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/CMLHope -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
