As I write this story, “my story,” I am on an airplane somewhere between New York and Eastern Europe, beginning a trip I have dreamed of for most of my life. I start with this so that you know my story has a happy ending.
More than seven years ago, at the age of 70, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I had cut my finger, which became severely infected. I went to my local ED for IV antibiotics and was given my diagnosis based on bloodwork drawn in the ED. One shock followed another as I was admitted to the hospital and told to expect to be there for at least a month, which ultimately became two months.
I found myself in the care of a particularly skilled physician who assured me my condition was “treatable and fixable.” He predicted we would meet in the ice cream aisle of our local supermarket in a pretty short time. Because of his skill as a physician and because he is an extraordinary person, he took the time to know me and tailor my treatment to achieve the best possible outcome. And he did! After two months of inpatient treatment, I went home in remission. Three months later, I returned to the hospital for a stem cell transplant donated by one of my sons. To make a long story shorter, my recovery has been miraculous, and I have reclaimed much of my previous life and am now on my way to the trip of a lifetime.
I am grateful for every day that I have and know for sure that almost every day brings new treatments, new options, and many more reasons to be hopeful. The message I most want to share is one of hope. Blood cancer is a rough road to travel, but there just may be many bright, sunny days at the end of the road.
Nancy
acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
