In February, 2015 I got fever that would not go away. I figured it was the flu, even though I had the flu shot earlier that year. I just assumed it wasn’t effective. I continued to keep my daily routine including work and even hiking, but I felt so tired and ill. After several visits to a variety of healthcare facilities, I still didn’t hear the “C" word yet.
On March 3, I drove straight from my job to the hospital and underwent more tests. I was told I would need to be admitted to stay longer because I had acute myeloid leukemia (AML)! This was when I began my journey to beat AML.
I never truly perceived myself as a cancer patient, I was NOT going to define myself that way. I knew my diagnosis was not the best, because at that first hospital stay they did the first of many bone marrow biopsies. Thankfully, I got the call that my beautiful sister, Kathy Rice was an absolute perfect match!
My first question to the nurses was, "What is the fastest anyone has ever gotten discharged from here after their transplant?" and they said, “Oh honey, it was 25 days.” With confidence, I stated, “I'm getting out of here faster than that!” I knew from that moment I was going to beat this disease, I was going to fight with everything I had.
Day by day, the nurses would write my counts on the white board. Sure enough, 23 days later I was at home and getting better every day. IA few months later I was back to work full time. I also began hiking regularly again. Now my hair has all grown back, I am off ALL medications and still in complete remission one year later!
I give all the credit to the team beside me along this journey, from my wonderful doctors to my family. My advice to someone newly diagnosed; NEVER-EVER let the diagnosis define you! Stay positive, do fun things, keep your family and friends close and let everyone help you!. Let people love you and visit you even though you may look weird. Do everything that makes you happy. Follow your doctor’s advice, they know what’s best!
Lori
AML Survivor
