Inspirational Stories

On June 5, 2014, at the age of 53, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I was admitted to the hospital the day my bloodwork came back with suspicions of leukemia. I spent the first month having weeklong bouts of chemotherapy. Following my second treatment, I crashed and was placed on a ventilator for two weeks followed by a tracheotomy that was kept in place for six months. This was a huge setback to my recovery as I was in the hospital for four continuous months. It was necessary for me to go to a rehab facility for a month to regain my strength. Following rehab, I had a glorious month out of the hospital before being readmitted for my consolidation chemo and bone marrow transplant. I was so fortunate that they were able to find a 10/10 match for me in a 24-year-old male from Poland. What a hero!! The 10/10 match was perfect in every way. I have struggled with some graft vs. host disease (GVHD), but I am about to celebrate nine years in remission and feel beyond blessed with every year that passes. It is indeed a difficult journey, but with strong faith in God, a good attitude, determination, and the love of family and friends, it is a battle worth fighting. I am forever grateful to my doctors, donor, and family for loving me through it.