When I was just settling in to being a new mom and working through my postpartum season, I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with a KMT2A mutation in August 2024, shortly after my 30th birthday, and when my daughter had just turned eight months old. Our pursuit of treatment took us from California, where we picked up everything and moved to MD Anderson in Texas for more aggressive care. After navigating six rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and a CAR T-cell clinical trial, I finally underwent a stem cell transplant. The recovery was incredibly taxing, involving a seven-week hospital stay and a life-threatening liver condition that kept me away from my daughter for an extended period. Although we hoped the transplant would be a final cure, the cancer unfortunately returned in May 2025.
Thankfully, under the care of MD Anderson Cancer Center, I began a targeted treatment and have been in remission since June 2025. We are currently living from one bone marrow biopsy to the next, and with my next procedure scheduled for next week, we are praying fervently that the cancer remains in remission.
Life after cancer has been very tough, but also beautiful. My husband is in school, and I’m not back to work yet due to all of the medical appointments and taking care of our 2-year-old daughter. Before I was diagnosed, I was working as a pediatric physical therapist.
I have a doctor for every body part since my body went through the wringer, and I’m on lots of medicines, but that's my new normal. I may metaphorically speaking carry more weight on my shoulders now, but I am healing, I am happy, and I am alive.
I think that I’ve been kept around because I’ve been able to inspire a lot of other people with my story and helped them access treatment and feel comfort in uniting together.
Shelby
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
