I am a three-time leukemia survivor. My story began in 2008 when I was initially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I was treated for a few years and became cancer-free (remission) in 2011.
During my first battle with blood cancer Blood Cancer United helped myself and my family immensely by assisting us with rent, gas and sometimes simply sharing the stories of other survivors, encouraging me to keep fighting.
Shortly after becoming cancer free, I relapsed, and my only treatment choice was multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. Luckily, my siblings were compatible with me. I had my first bone marrow transplant in 2012, successful for eight months before I relapsed.
At this point, I was 13 and knew what was happening with my body and what cancer meant. I was exhausted and had no will to keep fighting. However, one of my nurses shared with me that in the past, they were also pediatric oncology patient's and survived cancer just as I was going to also. Her story, plus the support of my family, encouraged me to fight this battle once again. This time, another sibling of mine was my bone marrow donor.
During my last fight, I vowed to myself that I would become a nurse to become a beacon of hope for children battling cancer. As of June 2023, I am officially ten years cancer free and a registered nurse, hoping to pay it forward and provide the same comfort and care my medical team gave me during the most challenging times in my life. Thank you.
Jaziel
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
