Hi, Susan. I was diagnosed with CML in 2/2012, as I was preparing for a TKR of my right knee due to severe arthritis. My TKR was delayed for 1 year while I was treated with Gleevec. I reached PCR-U, then my onc reduced my dose of Gleevec from 400 mg to 200 mg, as I was neutropenic, and my WBC, hgb & platelets were low - not good when you're having surgery. After 3 months on the lower dosage, the labs came up a little and he gave the green light to get the TKR. I had the surgery on June 10 of this year.
It hasn't been easy. I had to have a transfusion after the surgery, as my hgb dropped a lot. My incision opened up at home, and I had to put the physical therapy on hold for 10 days to avoid more trouble, then the surgeon contacted my onc in order to change the blood thinners.
I've been doing the exercises, but I'm still not at the point where I can easily climb stairs, I have trouble when I first stand up, and my hip hurts like hell, but I am no longer using a cane. They say it's more difficult for me because of the extra time I waited to have the surgery. By the time I had it, I had a permanent bend in my knee and a severe limp.
My dose of Gleevec is back up to 300 mg. I'm no longer PCR-U, but my onc is still pleased with my "deep response". He wants me to stay at 300mg while I continue to heal, and he suggested that I get my left knee fixed next spring. Ugh. I'm not ready to think about another surgery, but he wants me to get it over with and then return to 400 mg.
BTW - my surgeon is pleased with how the knee looks and my progress so far.
Dx: Sudden severe anemia detected 07/2011, followed by WBC spike. CML Dx 02/2012.
Rx: 03/2012-Gleevec400. Reduced 02/2013 to Gleevec300 due to side effects (low blood counts).
Response: PCR-Und within 7 mo. on G400. Maintained MMR4-MMR4.5 on G300. PCR-Und since 02/2016.