Re: Life span pmberryman

[Guest guest]

Hi-

Sorry to hear about your wife. I am 34 and was dx at 33. I am not an

expert and nobody " really " knows for sure but I can tell you what my doctors

have

told me and I have seen " the experts. "

CML before Gleevec was treated with a lot of hope, drugs and patients had

bone marrow transplants. With the outcomes of Gleevec, the drug your wife will

probably be put on, transplants are a rarity. People still get them done but

its with great risks and is the only real " cure " at this time. I have heard

although that people still have had reoccurrences after transplant as well

as side effects that can be life threatening.

With Gleevec, it is putting people in a state of chronic remission and the

Leukemia, although still there, is undetectable. We can live normal life

spans and be treated like a chronic disease such as people live with heart

disease or diabetes. My doctor told me that there is no reason to believe that

I

wont live 25-30 more years with the drugs that are out now and the newer drugs

still being developed and in clinical trials including the vaccine trials,

will only give us longer years. There is only good things to come and we must

remain hopeful and keep positive thoughts in our minds. It is not always

easy but you have to remain hopeful and positive. I cant stress that enough.

Surround yourself with people who care and will offer support. Continue to

seek advice from boards like these where there are people walking in the same

shoes. There are some really good suggestions and support that you can get

here. Also, contact your local Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Where are you

guys from? There is lots of support out there.

What your wife is going through is completely normal. We all when newly

diagnosed went through the same emotions and thoughts that she is having. She

is not dying however, she is probably very overwhelmed and scared. She will

go through a lot of different emotions as she learns all about this new

diagnoses. Educate yourselves, its powerful. If she would like to talk, I

would

be more the happy to talk to her. Or you. Monday is pretty recent, so take

it one day at a time! Email me privately if you'd rather.

Hugs

34

CML 5/13/05

Gleevec 800mg

Wife and mother of 3 (11,8,6)

3-log reduction

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