Search Results
Mike
I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in December 2004 at stage 0 which was revealed through a routine yearly physical.
Zeena
As an oblivious 14-year-old, I never imagined that I would soon go through the most difficult journey of my life. While on summer vacation with my family, we quickly realized I was not my energetic, joyous self. My favorite activities seemed like energy-draining tasks, and my large appetite had suddenly disappeared. The once quick trip up the stairs turned into a painful trek up a mountain and a walk down the street to a treacherous marathon with no end.
Cathy
I decided to call my cancer the “little c” rather than the “Big C.” I wasn't giving it that much power over my life!
Alicia
You never think it will happen to you until it does. Hearing the idea that you might have cancer was one of the darkest moments of my life. I was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in February 2023 at only 27 years old. I am a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a pediatric ICU nurse. I am used to taking care of patients on their worst days, but becoming a patient made a huge impact on me and made me a better nurse and advocate for patients/family/friends.
Will
In April 2021, as I was just starting to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I started to feel unwell. I was suddenly very tired and could not finish a soccer match. My family and I decided to reach out to our family doctor and look into my fatigue; we were not worried at all. We attributed my symptoms to adolescence and growth, and so did our doctor at first.
Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment
While treatments for ALL have led to increased survival rates, some may cause significant long-term or late effects. Long-term effects of cancer treatment are medical problems that last for months or years after treatment ends. Late effects are medical problems that do not appear until years, or even possibly decades, after treatment ends.
The long-term and late effects of childhood ALL treatment can include:
Side Effects
Therapy for CLL sometimes produces side effects. Side effects from kinase inhibitor drugs and monoclonal antibody therapy are generally milder than side effects from chemotherapy.
For most patients, treatment side effects are temporary and go away once therapy ends. For other patients, side effects can be more severe, sometimes requiring hospitalization. Some patients never have side effects.
Stem Cell Transplantation
For certain patients with CML, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (the infusion of donor stem cells into a patient) is their best treatment option. However, this type of transplant can cause serious or even life-threatening complications and side effects. In addition, it is often not a good option for older patients or for patients who have other health problems.
Grace
Volunteering for an organization was part of my senior capstone in the Spring of 2021. I wanted to volunteer for an organization that was for the long term and meaningful to me. One of my best friends, who is also my cousin, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2020. I felt so helpless and also didn't know anything about AML, so I turned to LLS to educate myself. LLS is an integral factor and I wanted to do my part. I became a story volunteer, where I had the opportunity to interview and speak with other volunteers and supporters.
Jeremiah
In February 2018, my youngest twin (by three minutes), Jeremiah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our world and lives were turned upside down, to say the least.
As a single mother, I never felt or experienced pain like this in my entire life. It felt like everything was crashing around me. Jeremiah began treatment with chemotherapy at the Children’s Hospital.
Auden
Eight-year-old Auden was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in May 2015 – one month after him and his twin sister, Emery, celebrated their third birthday.
Immediately, Auden underwent aggressive treatment causing him to have blood stream infections, anaphylactic reactions, kidney stones and broken bones, just to name a few. But he kept a positive attitude through it all and Emery has been by his side, cheering him on at every stage of his cancer journey.
Auden’s treatment continued until August 2018, and today, he is proud to say he is cancer-free!
Myra
Over the course of Myra’s career in oncology nursing, she’s seen the hurdles that families face and heard from patients about the daily struggles to access the care they need to stay alive. Unfortunately, she is too familiar with patients who are forced to choose between life-saving treatment and going against a doctor’s recommended treatment plan simply because the cost is too high.
Molly
Molly was just 2 years old when diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We noticed a few petechiae on her back and went to see her pediatrician. Two days later she was having surgery to have a mediport placed and starting chemotherapy.
The first few months were horrible. She lost the ability to walk or even sit up due to the steroids she took daily. She was a zombie and didn't talk or smile. It was so sad to watch her so lifeless. Often times we cried and cried and felt helpless.
Rhonda
In 2012, I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I had 10 rounds of radiation and six treatments of chemotherapy (R-Chop). It was a very rough journey, however, by the grace of God, the love of family, and of course, the wonderful doctors and advances in cancer treatments I persevered through.
Marie and Miguel
Miguel was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in early 2017. He was an active, healthy man his entire life, so this diagnosis came as a total shock. Both he and his wife didn't know what to expect or what the outcome would be and were both beyond devastated. After surgery, chemotherapy, numerous procedures, and hospital stays, Miguel and his wife were thrilled to hear the doctors say he had no evidence of disease as of late 2017.
Courtney
In 2007, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After a long and painful 2 year and 3 month treatment full of chemotherapy, a coma, IV's. etc., I finally finished treatment. Around 2008, I began working with LLS to share my story and since then, I have continued to share my story through different programs held by LLS. Throughout the last 11 years I have been with LLS, they not only helped countless people, but they have also treated me like family and have always asked me about my life and they truly care.
Peter
I do not aspire to be a hero, I just want other patients to realize that any one of us can have a long life after receiving such a horrible diagnosis. Times may be difficult but anything is possible.
On September 5, 2015, I celebrated the 25th anniversary of my autologous bone marrow transplant for non-Hodgkin lymphoma that took place at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. I want to thank my wife, children, and the many doctors, nurses, and technicians who treated me and continue to look after me in my senior citizen years.
Adelaide
I was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in September 2014 when I was six years old. I relapsed three additional times between 2014 and 2021. I had a bone marrow transplant in 2020 during COVID-19 and relapsed again six months after the transplant. In July 2021, I received huCART-meso cells at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Since that time, I have remained in remission.
Janel
Throughout my childhood, my grandmother instilled in me the importance of helping those in need and gave generously to various charities and organizations. Her unwavering dedication to serving others inspired me to continue her legacy and give back to my community.
Tom
I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in January 2023. I am very thankful for all the research that has led up to medications and treatments that I am able to benefit from today. God has a plan, and I feel a large aspect of that plan is bringing together those with needs and those with resources to help. It is so overwhelming to me to understand that there are those who support this wonderful research even though they don't have a name or face to tie it to. Through their generosity, people like me can continue living.
Jaden
When I was nominated to be a Student Visionary of the Year, I had no idea how it would impact my life. I was allowed to join a groundbreaking philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Throughout my courageous seven-week journey, I had a goal of creating a world without blood cancers. It was bigger than winning; it was about making a real impact on the world around me. I learned business marketing skills, used effective communication tools, and met with fellow change-makers in my local area. By the end of the campaign, I felt like a new person.
Lisa
My name is Lisa, I am 50 years old. On March 5, 2012, my life forever changed. I went from being Lisa, wife to John, mother to Tristan (now 14), and stepmother to John (now 35) to Lisa, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient.
Fernando
I am a 26-year-old cancer survivor and am about to begin my first year of law school.
Rachel
My name is Rachel. My tribal affiliation is full-blood Chickasaw/Creek/Seminole. I am 19 years old and will be entering my second year at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. I attended Little Axe Schools from Kindergarten to my senior year of high school. Little Axe is a rural community school outside of Norman, Oklahoma. My parents are both full-blood Natives, and I have an older brother (25) and a younger brother (16). My older brother, Caleb, is a state trooper for the State of Oklahoma. My younger brother, Andrew, will be starting the 10th grade at Little Axe High School.