I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) back in February 1993. I was treated at Cooper Hospital with 10 days straight of cranial radiation and chemotherapy. Eleven months later, I relapsed and was sent to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a bone marrow transplant with my mom as my donor on May 19, 1994. Prior to the bone marrow transplant, I had radiation two times a day for four days, head to toe, with only a 20% chance of survival and at risk for getting graft-versus-host disease and sores in my mouth. I made it through with no graft-versus-host disease or sores in my mouth. I have noticed that with each year that goes by, I get something along the way. I have gout, chronic kidney disease, liver disease (aka M.A.S.H.), cognitive issues with memory, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis, but I go on trying to conquer everything my way, as a survivor should. I was 10 when I was diagnosed. I am now 43, and with the love of my family and friends, I keep going, and I hope my story gives other survivors hope.
Lisa
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
