AML Leukemia: Quite a Shock
At the beginning of March 2017, I wasn't feeling up to par. So, I went to the after hours clinic and was told that I had a virus. They gave me some medication and told me to return if I didn't feel better in a week. I still wasn't feeling well so back to the doctor I went. This time I was told that I had strep throat and put on antibiotics. When the antibiotics didn't seem to be helping, another trip to the doctor. Seems the antibiotic wasn't strong enough so another was prescribed. Long story short, I went to the doctor 5 times between March 8th-March 29th of 2017.
On March 29th, I demanded blood work be drawn because I wasn't getting any better. I had extreme fatigue, trouble concentrating, sore lymph nodes and absolutely no energy.
I was a very sick young lady
The doctor called me himself that evening and told me to go to the nearest emergency room because I was a very sick young lady. He informed me that my white cell count was over 3 times what it should be! I was transferred to another hospital that night and remained there for one month in isolation. Chemo was started the next day after the bone marrow biopsy confirmed that I had AML Leukemia. Needless to say, going from a diagnosis of strep throat to Leukemia was quite a shock!! I had consolidation chemo one week out of each month between May- August of 2017. I was contacted in December 2017 to let me know that a donor had been found for a stem cell transplant.
The treatment journey
January 2018- I went to meet with the specialist at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, TN to discuss a transplant. (He informed me that I had 3 donor matches at that point! Wow!!) I was scheduled to have all my pretesting done in February 2018. I was to temporarily "move" to Nashville, TN starting March 19th--have my transplant on March 29th and be prepared to remain there until 100 days post transplant. I had the stem cell transplant on March 29th, 2018. I am blessed and grateful that prayers have been answered. My 30 day post transplant biopsy showed no Leukemia detected, no cancer markers detected and I am 100% donor cells. 100 day post transplant biopsy showed the same. My next biopsy will be at day #180. I pray that God continues to bless me with answered prayers. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this disease and their families.
Join the conversation