My journey started on November 26, 2022, just eight weeks after my wedding. I spent Thanksgiving with my family and could feel something just wasn't right. I had visited my primary care doctor a few days before to explain my symptoms of shortness of breath and my stomach feeling bloated. She stated I was young, and there was no need to worry, that it was probably just from having too much salt intake. After, being on indigestion medicine for a few days, my symptoms begin to worsen. I went to my local hospital emergency room due to my shortness of breath. As I sat there for two hours having my blood drawn and waiting on the results, the ER doctor walked into my room and notified me that my white blood cell count was the highest he'd ever witnessed and stated he was positive it was leukemia. I looked at him with complete and utter shock and told him this was "impossible." He immediately ordered a CT scan, and at this point, my husband and family rushed to the hospital. The CT results showed a 5cm mass on my chest and a swollen spleen. It was T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). For the next 48 hours, everything became a blur. The doctors stated I needed to start chemo right away and that my chance was slim; I was devasted, to say the least. I have a beautiful little girl who just turned eight years old, and my husband and two sons to think about. After numerous rounds of intense chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, I am standing today. It's been a long 16 months and many bumps in the road, but I am forever grateful to still be here today with my children and to celebrate my 32nd birthday on December 20. Merry Christmas to all.
Kayla
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)
