Search Results
Stefani
I was experiencing a really bad sore throat for at least a month. It would come and go. No meds or steroid shots about the fourth week helped. I attended a breast cancer event at my family’s restaurant. I was feeling bad, literally in tears and in lots of pain. My mother took me to the nearest hospital immediately after. On October 10, 2021, my life as a newly single mom changed forever. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I was devastated. My kids can’t live without me. We immediately went straight into intense chemo and attacked this beast.
Chris
Chris is a retired Army colonel. He graduated from Temple University and set into life at home with his family when he was diagnosed with a hernia. In the process of preparing for healing, he was told the hernia was no longer his challenge as he had a rare form of leukemia. The battle was on long after the battlefield, and as a chemist, he knew like any soldier does that tomorrow is not promised. But courage, teamwork, a battle plan, family love, and a foundation built on research and millions of man-and-woman-hours showed that the light at the end of the tunnel was a bright shining star.
Kamal
Most Capital Region 16-year-olds are well into the routine of the school year by now. But Kamal Havercombe hasn’t started his junior year at Albany High School. He hasn’t set foot in a classroom yet. Instead, he has been in and out of the hospital getting multiple blood transfusions, fighting fevers as high as 108 degrees and undergoing chemotherapy sessions that leave him weak and sickened.
Kimberly
When my husband, NFL linebacker Elijah, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2005, shortly after retiring from the Oakland Raiders, we were stunned. Neither of us had ever heard of it.
Life with multiple myeloma became an instant roller coaster. As his caregiver I knew it was my job to learn as much as possible about what we were facing, while trying to keep things normal for our two young sons.
Monica
Monica was learning how to be a new mom to a six-month-old baby when her night sweats got worse and worse. She also seemed to have a cough that would not go away. It turns out that her symptoms were not due to the daycare bugs her daughter brought home. In April 2017, she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Her clinical care team discovered a malignant 5 inch mass in her chest near her heart.
Michele
Michele decided she wanted to volunteer with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) because she herself and millions of others have been impacted by cancer. Both of Michele’s parents passed away from cancer and during that time, a lot of people were there for them. She knows how important that was for her and her family.
Annais
My name is Annais. I am now five years old, and I will be one year in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) this September 1st.
Christine
Back in 2019, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and was only given two weeks to live. I stayed the entire month in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy every day and blood transfusions. When I was released from the hospital at the end of August 2019, the doctor said I needed to do chemotherapy every day for nine months, and I would not be able to work. I asked the doctor, "May I work from home?
JoLeen
Ten years ago, at just 29, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while being a mother to my 3-year-old daughter. After 83 days in the hospital, countless rounds of chemo, and losing hope when my family wasn't a match for a bone marrow transplant, a miracle happened ― a donor match was found.
MaKayla
I am the mother of MaKayla. MaKayla found out on September 21, 2023, that she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She was admitted to St. Francis Hospital in Greenwood, Indiana. During the next three and a half months, MaKayla underwent treatment and several procedures. I cannot begin to explain the faith and strength my daughter had during this process. The oncologists, nurses, and staff were tremendous. We couldn't have asked for better care for her than what we were given.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, also known as “radiotherapy,” uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells in a small, targeted area of the body. Since radiation can also harm normal cells, whenever possible, radiation therapy is directed only at the affected lymph node areas in order to reduce the long-term side effects.
MDS Subtypes
There are several kinds (subtypes) of MDS. The subtype is determined from the results of the blood and bone marrow tests.
WHO ClassificationThe current WHO classification guidelines identify six subtypes.The current WHO classification guidelines, which were updated in 2022, groups MDS based on genetic abnormalities and morphologically defined features (the appearance and number of the cells under a microscope).
The subtypes are determined by the following:
Signs and Symptoms
Polycythemia vera (PV) develops slowly, and it may not cause symptoms for many years. The condition is often diagnosed during a routine blood test before severe symptoms occur.
Symptoms may include:
Nathaniel
Hi! Nathaniel here, but you can call me Nate. I am an 18-year-old North Carolina Scholar, 2015 graduate of Franklinton High School who graduated with high honors. I am a future student of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, majoring in mechanical engineering. I am a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, boyfriend, friend, percussionist, musician, scholarship recipient, car and truck enthusiast, minority mentor, and an all around "Renaissance Man" with a philanthropist heart. I also have cancer
Bryant
Bryant, age five, was diagnosed with Pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in April 2014. At the time of his diagnosis he was the typical 3-year-old, who loved to say “NO.” As an independent guy, who wants to make all decisions, he didn’t have many choices for the first few months of treatment. He began his treatment with an intense 8 month protocol. With the many ups and downs chemotherapy brings, he had to also fight a serious kidney infection. After the initial 8 months Bryant moved onto a maintenance program, which began in January of 2015.
Chelsea
Initially, I joked with my boss at work about the lymph node swelling in my neck and about taking another sick day off. I finally decided to see my primary care physician about it, who is typically very jovial. That day he wasn't joking much and referred me to a local ENT. Every test and scan from that first opinion pointed to a malignancy. I was in deep denial about being diagnosed with cancer, even after my second opinion at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston when the nurse asked if I wanted a snack.
Marisa
Throughout my father’s journey, I was impressed by his care team, the advanced medicine used to treat blood cancer today, the individuals I met, people’s generosity, and the organizations I was introduced to. This journey opened my eyes to various organizations such as Be the Match and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Jade
Last year in June of 2021, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 24. This diagnosis came as a complete shock to my family and me! My symptoms included extreme fatigue, migraines, bruising, nose bleeds, and radiating leg pains. All these symptoms came and went, and I never would've imagined it would be cancer. I attributed my symptoms to the stress from work. With sitting all day and staring at my computer screen, I never really thought much of it.
Ilustre
Just like many Filipinos, my beloved grandpa said “YES” to the U.S. Navy to provide for his poor family in the Philippines. He gave his all, and no matter the circumstances, he stayed strong. My grandpa was a warrior with a golden heart.
From open heart surgery to prostate cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), he fought for his life until his very last breath.
He has instilled in me leadership, hard work, and love. There was never a time he wasn’t there for me at my pageants, birthdays, or award ceremonies.
Will
My son Will was a vibrant, active, and typical junior in high school. He was living life to the fullest with a rigorous class schedule, working, training for his upcoming senior year of football, participating in many outdoor activities, and enjoying time with family and friends. On April 24, 2024, Will went in for wisdom teeth removal, and the oral surgeon had difficulty getting his bleeding under control. In a few short hours, including an ambulance ride to the hospital, Will would be diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Boyd
Greetings from a friend in Canada! I am a two-time blood cancer survivor and marathon runner all because of the love of friends in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)! I had a life saving stem cell transplant from an American Naval Serviceman named Nathan Barnes who was in Japan when he saved my life. (2011-12). My stem cell transplant was May 2012!! A year after my stem cell transplant a friend took me to Alaska and ran a marathon for me with Team in Training! (2013).
Elijah
Diagnosed with ALL in 5th grade, my hopes for a normal and healthy childhood were quickly shattered. The impact on my family began as devastation but has since metamorphosed into restoration, healing, and a closeness beyond this world (bonus, my brother and I have never fought since the day I received the news of my disease).
Julie
My twin sister, Julie was first diagnosed with leukemia when we were 25. Thankfully, she battled through and was in remission after a year of treatment. It was a rough battle for our family, but especially her. Newly married, her and her husband had just started to build a house and were hoping to start a family. Fortunately, she had great annual checkups and after 13 years, she was declared cured.
Nancy
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008. For a year, I was in the “watch and wait” category with no treatment until the disease progressed. In April 2009 I progressed to “active disease” and began treatments followed by an autologous stem cell transplant in January 2010.