My story began in 2021. Before we left to visit family up North, I found a small lump in my vaginal area. I met with my doctor after we got back, and she thought it was a cyst but sent me for an ultrasound just in case. That led to them finding a larger mass in the cervical area. So, they scheduled a biopsy and discovered I had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I was part of the 1% of leukemia patients who present as a mass as opposed to blood or bone marrow. All my bloodwork was great, and I wasn't tired at all. I felt great . . . until the diagnosis. I was floored, devastated. I felt like all the air and life had been sucked out of my body, and I walked around in a state of disbelief. It all happened so quickly.
I met with my hematologist/oncologist right away, and the first thing she said to me before she got into the details was, "AML is treatable and curable," the sweetest words I ever heard. Two weeks later, I was in the hospital for my first round of chemo. The staff was wonderful, and so was my doctor. The stay was less than wonderful, of course. I was to be in there for a month, the first seven days receiving chemo treatments 24/7. I told myself I would get through this, that chemo wouldn't break me. And 10 days later, that liquid devil had the last laugh. I was very fortunate to have my loving husband with me most of the time, but unfortunately, he had been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, so we had that to deal with on top of this. When it rains, it pours sadly. My next steps, going home after the initial month, were to be home for a couple of weeks, then go back in for four days of chemo, heading home, and doing it over again until they found me a stem cell donor. That started in November 2021, and early the following year, I got a call from my sister up North saying she was coming to Florida. "How nice," I thought, “She's coming to visit me." But the reason was that SHE would be my donor. I am so very blessed. She met all the criteria, and we also shared chromosomes. I thank my parents in heaven every day for having her! She truly is my life-saver.
I am over three years cancer-free and wake up every day so grateful and feeling blessed. During my treatment, I had connected with someone through Blood Cancer United (formerly LLS), a mentor of sorts. She was very helpful in answering questions about what to expect and talking about the issues she had/has and listening to my fears, etc. I am dealing with chronic GvHD now, but thankfully, it isn't very bad. I pray it stays that way. One day, a lovely friend overheard me talking about my platelets dropping to 3,000 during my illness (the normal amount is 145,000+), and it made her think about the fact that every time she donated blood, they brought up platelet donation to her. That day made up her mind, and she is now a Super Donor! I used to donate blood all the time, but now that I can no longer, I try to urge others to if they are able.
Cancer, in any form, is such a devastating and very humbling experience. I have never felt so small in my life. There were so many times I just wanted to curl up in a ball and blow away like a tumbleweed . . . to just not have to think or feel. I would be lying if I said I didn't still think about it and worry about the future, because you just don't know what life has in store for you. But you try your best and you keep on fighting, keep on praying if that's your thing, and stay as positive as you can because there is a strong mind-body connection for all of us. I hope I am done with this cancer nonsense . . . I really don't look good bald.
Blessings and good health to you all.
Gina
acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
