My CML journey so far

I went to see my doctor in January 2024 because I was having issues with my feet and hands swelling. He originally thought I had osteoarthritis but sent me for bloodwork. The next day (definitely not like the movies) my doctor called me on the phone and told me I had Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. I asked him again, what it was and when he said it, I said, “that sounds like cancer” to which he replied, “it is. But don’t worry, you won’t die from it, you will die of old age.”

And so it began, I was sent for more bloodwork and when they were even more certain, I was sent for a bone marrow biopsy. I actually didn’t mind that, wasn’t that bad. Finally in March 2024, I started my first TKI. It made me really sick, lethargic, sore everywhere. I was ready to quit because if my life was going to be like that, it just wasn’t worth it. I joined a support group that encouraged me to continue taking them because “it will get better.”

I continued taking them and it did get better but not a lot. I was nauseous all the time, insanely tired (although I do work 72 hours a week) but the pain subsided so I continued.
In February 2025 my dosage was lowered to try to stop the nausea. Didn’t help. In July 2025, my oncologist had me stop the meds for a month. It was a great month, no nausea, minor pain and less tired! It was great!

After my bloodwork at the end of July, he wanted me back on them but lowered the dose again. I tried to talk him out of it but he wasn’t having it. The tiredness is back but the nausea has mostly gone. Hopefully the bloodwork stays good so I can stay on this dosage!