Sick after diagnosis

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

How dare CML invade our bodies. We tried to live the " good life " and do our

part to keep the planet and our children safe. Unfortunately bad things happen

to good people.

What did I do after diagnosis? I cried for 3 weeks non-stop and went so far as

to see my hairdresser to help arrange my funeral. Now that is extreme, but what

I knew about CML would fit on the head of a pin. Now any time I see CML, I stop

and read it. If someone dies of leukemia, the first thing I want to know is

" what kind " . I don't think you are much different from the rest of us, but I

want you to know it gets better with knowledge. You can see from our posts that

we are living and working with CML. Some still have families to raise. Set a

goal for yourself, mine was to live long enough to celebrate my 50th wedding

anniversary. That came and went 5 years ago and although I have had many

hospitalizations and illnesses in the 15 years since diagnosis, I bounce back.

I find that I have to push myself a little harder and say I will stay at

whatever I am doing for 5 more minutes after I have told myself I need to stop

and rest.

Ask questions of your doctor, but most of all - us. No subject is taboo, this

is our lifeline. We have experienced everything and been tested in trials and

taken every drug that has come on the market. Some are less toxic than others.

Not everyone reacts the same to every drug, as you can see, we all have

different side effects.

Glad you chose us, we welcome you with open arms. Be patient, as some side

effects go away with time. The main objectivity is to get to a safe place and

if you can't go higher than chronic hemologotical remission (CHR), you can still

live - I did for 14 years. You need to watch your blood counts in case your

doctor missed anything, but your determination is the key word. It's like being

in a boat and you run into a squall, you will have a hard time steering, and it

will be very bumpy riding the waves, but if you know what you are doing, you

will be safe.

Confuscious says: " Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting

up every time we do. " There is another old Chinese proverb that I like very

much. " Fall down seven times, get up eight. " Remember that all of your

feelings are valid, so do not be afraid to voice them.

Carpe diem,

Lottie Duthu