Exactly a month before my 24th birthday, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As a young adult, hearing the words “you have cancer” come from a physician’s mouth was earth-shattering, to say the least.
Prior to my diagnosis, I had been working in clinical research and was enrolled in a Biomedical Science Master’s program with hopes of continuing to medical school and becoming a physician. However, my career aspirations were placed on hold when I received my diagnosis. Immediately, my dedicated student lifestyle turned into one of a full-time patient.
For the next six months, I underwent numerous bone marrow biopsies, doses of chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and radiation treatments. I took countless pills, received multiple blood transfusions and electrolyte infusions, spent birthdays and holidays in my 320-square-foot hospital room, and lost my hair twice.
Yet, through it all, I was constantly surrounded by the incredible support of my faith, family, and friends. Undergoing cancer treatment during the peak of COVID-19 in spring 2020 often meant attending hospital visits and stays alone. Nevertheless, what at first seemed to be an isolating experience was quite the opposite when I also formed long-lasting bonds with my doctors, nurses, and technicians.
On July 28, 2020, I reached the light at the end of the tunnel and underwent a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately for me, my younger sister Sophia was my 100% stem cell match and agreed to be my donor. Besides the expected side effects of recovery, everything went smoothly.
Upon taking the time to recover, achieve remission, and return to my “new normal,” I was propelled to use the lessons I had learned during my cancer journey to advocate for others who face similar battles.
Exactly a year after my transplant on July 28, 2021, I collaborated with Sophia and published a children’s novel entitled Bye, Bye, Bad Blood. All proceeds from the novel have and will continue to be donated to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) now Blood Cancer United as they are an organization that greatly helped my family and me while I was in treatment.
In addition to the book, I have also become an Blood Cancer United advocate and am now working for Be The Match under their clinical research team!
I am eternally grateful to the medical staff as well as to my loved ones and Blood Cancer United for helping me get to where I am today. I look forward to a lifetime of remission and supporting cancer fighters and survivors in any way that I can.
Kassandra
ALL Survivor
