Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

My name is Mabel. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in December 2018. I started aggressive treatment at Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

Life for Rachael, Brandon, and Jackson was good. Jackson was a happy and healthy baby. He loved all things trucks, looking at books, helping his dad with projects around the house, and playing with his puppy Remy. In the weeks leading up to his second birthday, Jackson developed a low-grade fever that he just couldn’t shake.

My story began in 2021. Before we left to visit family up North, I found a small lump in my vaginal area. I met with my doctor after we got back, and she thought it was a cyst but sent me for an ultrasound just in case. That led to them finding a larger mass in the cervical area. So, they scheduled a biopsy and discovered I had acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

It started with a stiff neck. Then came fatigue and a sore throat. I started feeling full after only a few bites of food. Workouts were getting more difficult to complete. My heart rate was consistently north of 100 just lying in bed. Rationalized. It's maybe strep. Could be mono. I prescribed myself antibiotics and popped ibuprofen. Nothing was working.

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) while 26 weeks pregnant at 35 years old. I remember looking in the mirror one day and told my husband I looked like I was sick, but we just chalked it up to me being pregnant. A few weeks later, I found a rash on my legs and scheduled an appointment with my OB who ordered bloodwork.

I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the age of 22 in April 2024. I am a mom to a now two-year-old who I had to be apart from for four months to get treatment.