In 1970, I was playing baseball in high school as a freshman, playing second base. A bully made a hit and ran from first to second base, tackling me. I got into a fight with him because of the pain I was feeling in my left hand. After the fight, I needed to go to the hospital. In setting my broken hand, they also did a blood test. The results showed why my hand was so fragile; I had acute myeloid leukemia (AML). I had chemotherapy but no radiation or other treatment. I lived in Georgia and went to MD Anderson in Houston for chemotherapy. I was there for two infusions before I headed to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). My parents were with me all the way. After a year of chemotherapy, I was sent home to recover. I was homeschooled throughout treatment.
I then had a tumor develop and was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I had surgery at my local hospital and was in a cast for three months.
Returning to school, I had advanced past my senior class. I aced my SAT with a perfect score. My guidance counselor found college scholarships for me, and after I felt better. I entered Stanford University as a freshman at 15 years old. I was too young. After a year, I returned home and enrolled at the University of Georgia. I was almost 18 when I graduated and moved to New York for work. I stayed in New York State, my adopted state.
I found out in 2020, during Covid19, I had familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig disease. I survived two cancers ― AML and NHL. I won’t survive ALS. I am 64 years old now.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is a great group for anyone with blood cancers. Know you are not alone.
A. Timothy
AML Survivor & Volunteer
