Mary, you should have your blood work results which should include the BCR/ABL (look this up on internet for explanation). Your bloodwork MAY all look normal, but your BCR/ABL shows 'leukemia cells". For CML patients, this can be NORMAL (all looks good but still have positive BCR/ABL). Your Oncologist may not be articulating this. Nobody can say why anyone 'gets' leukemia or why your treatment is working faster/slower/better/worse than someone Elses. I am on my 1st year and all of my blood counts (reb/white blood cells, platelets, etc.) all are in the normal range but yet my BCR/ABL (leukemia cells) is still positive AND my blood sugar (A1c) is high (I am also a diabetic). Hope this helps but, this is normal for many with CML (except the sugar :)

Mary, even with treatment leukemia never is cured. It just goes into a type of remission where the leukemia cells are barely detectable. But they always will be there. I am unsure why your oncologist doesn’t understand what is occurring.

Hi Mary hope you are well and please don’t panic. What were the numbers on your last BCR/ABL test and how long have you had CML. I am 6 years in now and still have .013% cancerous cells, slightly higher than remission levels but that was my best reading yet in June 2025. It has been a long road but readings are stable so if you are in same boat just have to go with the flow and hope for continued improvement

I don’t understand why he don’t know either ! Is he a leukemia specialist ? I would get a second opinion hope your feeling better soon 🤗

I think I would possibly work with a Hematologist in conjunction with your Oncologist. Each has their own area of expertise. I am being treated for AML by a Hematologist/oncologist so I get the better of both specialties!
My Diagnosis was March 2024. My most recent MRD blood test (measurable residual disease) did not detect my mutations (FLT3 or NPM1) however my numbers never get in the normal range. The MRD test isn’t yet sensitive enough to detect the mutations and FLT3 mutation can “hide” in plain sight. So for now my Onc/Hem calls my remission DEEP remission. I will continue on maintenance treatment (chemo Dacogen and Venclexta 1/2) every 28-35 days for the foreseeable future. In the meantime I go in for weekly CBC blood draws. Prayers go out to you that you get answers to your questions🙏🏼