Hello - I’m new to this form having only had my CML diagnosis in the last 24 hours. I’m a fit and active 52 year old with a busy home and work life. The diagnosis was picked up through a routine blood test after I made an appointment with my GP due to breathlessness when cycling and running. A big shock to the system.
I have a pretty full on life with 5 children (3 at home from 14, 16 and 20) and twins who are in their own homes. I have a demanding role and balance a working life across the UK which is then grounded at home with my wife and family. I’m active and generally on the go and struggle with rest, hence a lot of good dog walking, trail running and long distant cycling.
I am trying to keep positive about my early diagnosis, whilst we wait for the bone marrow results and final bloods, with hydroxycarbamide tablets until the consultants get the full results and start a longer term plan.
It’s been great reading through this forum which has given me hope and inspiration. My mindset is a strength, usually seeing optimism in situations and delving into fairly strong and well tested resilience to get me through things. I have to be pragmatic and accept, it seems, that I will live with CML for the rest of my life, most likely medicated.
Whilst there will be many major and smaller bumps in the road ahead, probably through the side effects, is it reasonable to believe that I can find a way for my active lifestyle to continue - with cancer forming a part of my life rather than my life being restricted and living around CML?
Thank you. Kier
Hi Kier and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but sorry to hear about your CML diagnosis.
I am Mike and J help out around our various Blood Cancer Groups.
I know from experience having been on my cancer journey for over 25 years (first diagnosed at 44) with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable) that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated……..
…….. support group. This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
To connect in with the group please click on the link above……. then once the group page opens you will see a [Black - Click to Join - Banner] at the bottom of the page, click in this box and this will then confirm that you have joined the group.
You can then introduce yourself to the group by putting up your very own post by clicking [+ Create new post] or [+] in the top right of the group page.
You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial/work guidance or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
