Inspirational Stories

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in June of 2022. I was feeling fine and went for a routine physical where it was discovered that my white blood cell count was very low. This was the beginning of my nightmare. I was slotted to give my husband my kidney before I was diagnosed and had to quickly find another donor. We did and he got his transplant and is doing well. I was hospitalized for 8 weeks where I received very aggressive induction chemo that left me malnourished and on death’s doorstep. Induction chemo didn’t work and I was in the ICU for 6 days where doctors told me to have my family come in and say my goodbyes. The effects of chemo were relentless, rendering me almost wanting to die to be out of pain. But I kept fighting and did a 180 turnaround. In November of 2022, I was admitted to the hospital again for a stem cell transplant. My sister was a 100% match. I stayed in the hospital for a month and was home right before Christmas.

I am now in remission and doing well. I have GVHD and have some daily challenges but I am so grateful to be alive and home with my husband and three beautiful children. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) sponsored my family as “Family of the Year” and we were all showered with gifts, money and so much love from the wonderful people in this organization. My heart was so filled with joy over the kindness of people in addition to this I received a grant from the LLS Co-pay Assistance Program and other grants that have helped me tremendously. This organization epitomizes kindness and support. I have written a memoir about my cancer journey in hopes of being an inspirational voice for others who are in this horrible situation. There is hope and there are good people in this world that will help you through it.