While in some ways, life has changed from a CML perspective, some things have not changed at all. I still go to Dana-Farber twice a year for check-ins with my doctor. I also go an extra time just for bloodwork to check my PCR. I also continue to fly out to Oregon once a year to meet with Dr. Druker. While my meetings have generally been shorter and less eventful than they used to me, they are still reassuring both for me and my family.
I did have a minor scare with my numbers a month or two ago when I went from a very low PCR to a 1 log increase. This had happened with multiple readings. I was able to get a kit to send bloodwork out to OHSU and the next result showed the scores were back to where they had been. This was likely more of a statistical anomaly than an actual difference in scores.
I remain on 500 mg of imatinib. I have very few side effects other than some muscle cramping and occasional eye bleeds. Otherwise, the meds are just part of my normal routine. I don't think all that much about CML anymore. Perhaps this is the beauty of what Gleevec and subsequent meds have meant to those diagnosed with this disease.
I think about how lucky I am to have been diagnosed after the discovery of Gleevec and how it has afforded me a normal life.
