I am 53 years old. I was dx in 2000 with cml. Had a bmt in June 00 . Went back to work in August 01. In June of 04 it is back. Another round of donor cells and Gleevac for 2 yrs. After all I have been through I do not work because of this. I have lost almost all of my strength and  I have a zero tolerance for heat not to mention no endurance. I have never gotten back the strength or endurance and was told I probably never would. I have been in outdoor activities all my life (hunting,fishing,and being self employeed in construction) only to find out the heat tolerance and the rest will be with me the rest of my life.Talk about a sudden change. I have problems with this every day. I am glad you think this is not to terrible for you, but it has been h@@@ for me.I had to change my entire lifestyle. CML has been my downfall. I am grateful I am here to write this. I look at life different now. I used to pass the flowers, but now I stop to smell them. I found out that Gleevac is not a cure for CML. It is supposed to block the bcr/abl gene that causes cml. It eventually loses is ability to do this.Read all about Gleevac in any cml topic. If this is true, then the gene will show up and at any (unknown) time the CML can come back. i am going through this today as I write. This will be my third time. My dr told me that I can have more cells and be put on Gleevac again.Point is only God knows what will happen. I hope you will not go through this like me. By the way,I am the only surviving patient alive that  was in the hospital with. talk about a mental effect? Everytime I hear that someone died with any leukemia I feel guilty. I hope I have not offended you in anyway becuase I certainly did not to do so. Enjoy every day and everyone you can. My dad said all the money and friends can't fix your health. without health the rest doesn't matter.

Scottdw

Thank you for your "words of wisdom" so to speak. I don't know the right saying for your comment. I to find it difficult at times, but I keep going. I have had it twice and pray it doesn't come back. The hardest thing for me is knowing I will never be like I was before. Being an outdoorsman and working outdoors is the hardest. I have learned to adjust alot about the heat and what it could do to me.I still do some things. I fish now because the heat isn't bad early.Even at 75 degrees being outside and doing anything, I have to quit after ten to fifteen minutes because of how I react to how "hot" my body feels.

You are so right about GOD. HE hasn't kept me here for no reason. I don't give up on things,I adjust and change to new ways.Having CML twice and in a bank robbery once my thoughts have certainly changed. No luck here. All God.

I have to go back every 3 months for checkups.I don't mind. I will be 54 in October and I have really started to find peace about this. I can't control any of the disease and if and when it comes back.I will enjoy each day,both good and bad. The Bible says to thank God for always.

Once again thanks and keep your faith also,

Scott Weathersby

I've had cml for 3 years now. None of the oral meds have worked for me. I havent freaked out till now - they are doing a transplant. .... FREAKING OUT !!

I too will also be praying Lauren. I feel your fear from the other side of the fence I am the mother of a 15 year old that has CML we were informed at our last doctors appt. they they are looking to do his transplant this time next year. We found out that he had CML Nov.09,  he was 14 at the time. He is taking Gleevec and  we thank God that he has responded so well to it. I hear of people like you RJK and SteveA that have been on Gleevec for awhile and I am not really sure why they want to the transplant on our son only being on the Gleevec for a year and doing so good on it, other then the fact the he too Scott doesnt tolerate the heat like he used too. I'm sure they have their reasons and we will find them out.  Lauren just remember that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle, for what ever reason we are dealing with these situations in our lives I want to believe that it will make us stronger.I will definintly be praying for all of us. Take care!