My story started when I retired a year ago after 22 years at one place. It was a job I loved with my customers, but it was accompanied by stress. I had to leave my job. Within three weeks, I felt ill, and I was not recovering. I thought I had a UTI, which I did, but it would not go away. Then I got spots on my face and body that would not go away. Finally, I did bloodwork and was told my numbers were off the charts, and I needed to get to the hospital asap. My WBC was at 140 (should be 11 and was rising). While waiting in the ER, going to the bathroom like every 15 minutes, we were advised it was leukemia, only without total tests being done, my husband heard acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), which was the worst of all. I did not hear that because I was kind of out of it.
Jumping forward through testing and getting my WBC under control, it was very high. They determined it was acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a FLT3. It was treatable, so on with the treatment of chemo. After six weeks of being hospitalized, I went home and felt weak, but within a week or so, I felt almost normal. I went in for blood checks three times a week. Then at a consultation with the doctor, I was told I was in complete remission, but they recommended a stem cell transplant for better odds of it never returning. So, of course, we agreed with the odds being better, that this is what we had to do for me.
Two months later, I was scheduled to have the stem cell transplant with a donor who was a 100% match, again, thank God for that donor. However, between that time and the stem cell transplant, I had to have two rounds of chemo, which consisted of three times a week, twice a day as an outpatient. I then had to take pills after each of those rounds. I went into the hospital in November 2024 and was advised that I would be in there for four to six weeks. Well, I came through it after another round of chemo and radiation treatment. The stem cells were transplanted into me. I have to say I was feeling great when I went into the hospital the second time. I ended up getting through it very well with minimal side effects and left the hospital within three and a half weeks.
It was a bit harder on the second recovery just from feeling fatigued. Thank God for my support, love, and prayers from God, family, and friends who came along with this whole journey. I do believe that God took care of me and all the angels above who we’re watching for me and all the people on earth, praying and supporting me.
Going forward from there, now eight months later, I’m feeling pretty good, almost back to normal, getting better every day, and stronger, and thanking God every day. I started out going for three blood checks a week, down to two, down to one, now I’m down to once a month. And the bone marrow biopsies have come back 100% negative, and I am in 100% remission. I do still feel anxiety with the blood checks and the bone marrow biopsies every six months, I get worked up, not as bad as time goes on. However, I do have anxiety at times, which I’m trying to control with every little thing that does happen, like a UTI or when I hurt my arm in the rotator cuff area. I have spoken with others, and they have known people with the same leukemia that I have, and there are different complicated outcomes, even getting other cancers, and it’s scary. I just have to thank God every day, count my blessings, and just keep pushing forward in a positive manner.
They tell me that after two years of my bone marrow biopsy coming out 100% negative, they will say the word cured. That will be in September 2026.
With positivity, my faith, prayers, and of course God‘s glory, I get by day by day. I try to take care of myself, lead a healthy lifestyle, and pray. I am thankful that I’ve got more life left to live. I am very thankful that they found a donor for me who was a 100% match. I am thankful for technology because 25 years ago, people didn’t make it through this disease.
All the outside thoughts do come into my head at times, but I try to let the positivity take over and let my faith take me to a better place in my mind. Most of all, it is all in God's hands.
Mary
acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
