APL Survivor

By Teresa

1 min read

I was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in May 2021. I was extremely fatigued, with bruising all over my body and petechia covered my lower legs. I was rushed to a hospital over an hour away because no oncologist at our local hospitals had the expertise to treat me. My platelets were 11 and APL was quickly affecting my major organs.

A miraculous recovery

I was diagnosed with differentiation syndrome which sometimes accompanies acute forms of leukemia. I was placed in a medically induced coma with a ventilator, intubated, and a feeding tube. My heart and lungs were not getting enough oxygen to support life. My husband of only 4 months prayed like never before along with our church family and friends.

I miraculously began to recover and came out of the coma on May 8, the day before Mother’s Day! Prayers were answered and God was with us every step of the way. My daughter, who is a nurse, was by my side and my husband was believing that I would be able to come out of the coma and breathe on my own by Mother’s Day.

Complete remission

All tests showed 99.99% that I had APL, so my doctor treated it very aggressively with chemotherapy treatments every day and oral chemo pills every day. Thank God my body began to respond well to the treatments! I was in the hospital for 42 days and just completed my last chemo treatment on Jan. 7, 2022, but I am in complete remission with NO signs of APL!

Words of encouragement

I would love to encourage and pray for anyone on here that is in treatment or needs support. I know that is my calling from God! I have spoken at my church and women's retreats locally and would love to talk to anyone and share my story. There are so many ways that God had me every step of the way.

Teresa Tate

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sammy83904 Member
Hello is there any way we can communicate? I was diagnosed with APL on May 19. I’d love to talk to someone whose experienced what I’m going to go through. 
1. Teresa Member
 I would love to encourage you and help you along this tough journey. My email is tateandtate931@gmail.com and you can send me a friend request on FB Teresa Tate.
2. Ronni Gordon Contributor
 <inline-mention username="sammy83904" user-id="8541770"/> and <inline-mention username="Teresa" user-id="4598066"/> , I did not know about this disease before, but a quick google search turned up some interesting facts of special interest to someone like me who had AML, for example that it is a subtype of AML. According to a January 2023 paper in the National Library of Medicine, "APL was once one of the most life-threatening leukemias"...but "t This brought to mind one of my own posts about progress in leukemia treatment, "When It's OK to Use the Word 'Lucky'. https://blood-cancer.com/living/lucky In general, we are not lucky to have gotten cancer. but we are lucky to have gotten it at a time when we can benefit from modern treatments,
Teresa Member
Hi there! I would love to help others through their journey with a blood cancer diagnosis. I know that helping others is one reason that God allowed me a little more time on this earth. I am on a mission to help others and bring comfort to them in any way that I can. Teresa Tate APL survivor
1. Ronni Gordon Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Teresa" user-id="4598066"/> Congratulations on your recovery and your commitment to helping others. In the interest of helping <inline-mention username="sammy83904" user-id="8541770"/> find you, I looked up your name on FB and found quite a lot of people with your name. Is there any other identifying feature you can share? I started to go down the rabbit hole of viewing all of them, but that didn't seem like it was going to be productive. It will be great when you connect, because there is nothing like finding someone who has been through, or is going through, the same cancer (or illness or condition) as you. Take care, Ronni (blood-cancer.com team member)
2. Teresa Member
 Hi there Ronni! This is Teresa Tate (APL Survivor). You can find me on FB under Teresa Tate. Here are a few more helpful details, I live in Killen, AL. I am a youth pastor and I work for Varsity Tutors. I am married to Bill Tate. I would love to talk and share stories of encouragement.
Angie Netterville Moderator & Contributor
That's a wonderful outlook, <inline-mention username="Teresa" user-id="4598066"/> ! We're so glad you're here ! I'm hoping you and <inline-mention username="sammy83904" user-id="8541770"/> can connect. It's so powerful to hear from someone who can offer a positive perspective on this often unpredictable journey. Thanks for sharing!
Daniel Malito Moderator
That’s wonderful news! It’s always good to hear good stories from our community members so that people know that it’s just as possible as the bad outcomes we hear so much about. Hopefully your journey continues uneventfully and it continues to head towards remission. Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
cybernopia Member
Hi there to all especially to Tate . So inspiring story and I wish you could encourage my wife also for what's she's going through with her APL which has been detected a month ago. I don't want to lose her I love my wife so much. I'm holding on to my faith in God that this time spare me my wife unlike the first wife died with brain tumor. 
1. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 Praying for you and your wife. Wishing you the very best!
2. Angie Netterville Moderator & Contributor
 Wishing both you and your wife peace of mind as you navigate this new diagnosis. The unknowns can bring some fear but know that we are here to support you. Please reach out any time. Angie -team member