Bouncing PCR's

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I must respond to your post because you remind me so much of myself.

Fifteen years ago, I used to panic with every white blood count. That is all I

looked at, I didn't know anything about what the other readings meant. We were

told we had 3 1/2 to 5 years to live and I counted every day, counted them down

on the calendar. I don't care what age you are, you panic and I was 67 when I

was diagnosed.

We are here to assure you that those numbers are not signs that have skull and

bones on them. This disease is unpredicable, but with the new drugs, they can

be kept more in check. Looking back in retrospect, I wonder what all the

hullabalo was about. We were told that we had to reach PCRU to be in a good

place. I can testify that that just ain't so.

You are fairly new at this game, so I think it is incumbent upon those of us who

have been here a while and experienced all the yo yos to share our experience

with you. We also have good medical evidence that we do not have to live with

gloom and doom. I marvel at some of the things our members are doing and have

nothing but admiration for them. Their enthusiasm moves me and encourages me.

Every day is different and you will not be 100% every day, or as in my case,

mostly 50%, but you move on with the faith and knowledge that you have and soon

you will be looking after the newcomers like a mother hen looks after her

chicks. Never stop sharing, we all walked in your shoes at one time. Live one

day at a time and remember that even if you didn't have CML, you wouldn't feel

well every day. Spend your time thinking positive thoughts. Life is here to

live and we all do it to our very best abilities by learning and listening to

our peers. We know things our doctors don't know because we are living in the

moment that they may never experience. Have a wonderful life!!!!!!!!

Carpe diem,

Lottie Duthu