Inspirational Stories

I’m an eight-year survivor of leukemia. I was a happy, healthy young adult. I noticed my body was bruising, and I would fall asleep at work. I didn’t think anything of it, but the bruising kept coming. I have twin girls, and on their birthday, July 1, I went to the ER. They ran all kinds of tests. I felt fine actually. They came back and were talking about white blood counts and oncologists. I knew right then and there it was cancer. I had an appointment with an oncologist on July 5, my mom’s birthday, and went back to the ER. This time I was admitted. I had no idea what was going on. They told me my blood levels were dangerously low and that I could get an infection. It all happened so fast. I was admitted, met my oncologist, had a bone marrow biopsy, got a PICC line, and in days was told I had leukemia. I was told I would be in the hospital for a long time. 

I started chemo, and I was by myself. I had to start the chemo pills. I cried and cried; I was so scared. I took them and also started an infusion of chemo. That night, I was in so much pain and vomiting. I thought if this is how it’s going to be, I don’t want to do it. I remember seeing the CNA and nurse, and the next thing I knew, I woke up feeling fine. I tried everything I could do to keep myself busy and walk the halls. 

After a few weeks, I got pneumonia, and it was horrible. It felt like an elephant was on my chest. I continued three different chemotherapies and eventually lost my hair. I was so sick. After a month, my blood levels were looking good, and on my parents’ anniversary in August, I was let go from the hospital. 

I stayed with my parents for a few days. Twice I got really sick and had to go to the hospital. I finally got better and started chemo again at Cancer Care, Monday through Friday. I couldn’t work because I was sick and doing treatment. I did treatment for one year. After my last treatment, I lost my job. I was devastated. The nurses, doctors, CNAs, housekeepers, and everyone made such an impact on my life that I wanted to be a nurse and make a difference in someone’s life as they did mine. After months of getting stronger and with my doctor’s permission, I went to school first to be a CNA, and now I’m a nurse and love everything about it. I’m very grateful.