Kansas City, KS -Persistent fatigue led Mary Kay Sillyman to believe she needed gallbladder surgery. Instead, routine pre-operative blood work uncovered something she never expected - leukemia. Mary Kay shares the treatment journey that followed and the eight years she spent taking a daily medication to keep her cancer under control. Now, her doctors say she’s reached a point many patients may not realize is possible: she’s been able to stop the daily medication she took for eight years.
Mary Kay Sillyman, Patient
- Mary Kay shares how routine pre-operative blood work ultimately led to her unexpected leukemia diagnosis.
- She describes why she sought another opinion when a previous physician suggested stopping medication after three years and why Dr. Yacoub’s plan gave her confidence.
- She took her medication every day for eight years without missing a dose and shares what it took to stay committed to treatment.
- She recalls the mix of excitement and uncertainty when she was finally told she could stop the medication that had controlled her leukemia for years.
Dr. Abdulraheem Yacoub, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Dr. Yacoub explains chronic myeloid leukemia and how targeted medications have dramatically changed treatment for patients with CML.
- He defines “molecular remission” and explains how it differs from saying a patient is cured.
- He explains which patients may be candidates for treatment-free remission and why only some patients can safely consider stopping medication.
- He discusses what happens if molecular testing shows the leukemia returning after treatment has stopped.
Ola Kilanko, APRN, The University of Kansas Cancer Center
- Explains the ongoing blood work and molecular monitoring used to determine whether targeted therapy continues to control CML.
- Discusses what the care team needs to see before a patient can be considered for treatment-free remission.
- Explains how closely patients are monitored after stopping medication.
- Discusses what happens if testing indicates the leukemia is returning and whether treatment can be restarted.
