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I think the 3 to 5 year expectancy has to be interpreted with caution. It is a mean, not an average. It would be a good thing for that to be pointed out a bit more strongly, for those who are less statistically minded. It is still a scarily small number though, and certainly stresses that this disease cannot be left unmonitored. The oncologist stressed that point quite well, saying I had a deadly disease that can usually be managed if any change is caught early enough.
The hematologist that did my diagnosis isn't the same one that will be following my case, because the first one was outside of my geographical area. I'm not too concerned (mainly because of my stable results for almost 4 years).
I'm 66, and have had a very stable health all my life. The last time I missed a day of work due to being sick was in 1985, and I have always had a bulletproof immune system. I never get the flu, never got covid, etc. We tend to take these things for granted, although I am all too aware that good health isn't a given. I lost a sister to breast cancer in 2012 and my brother to prostate cancer in 2020. Certainly makes you feel vulnerable.
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