At 31, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It all started with what I thought was a cold or maybe COVID. I kept working, brushing off the symptoms as something minor. But things got worse. I had a persistent cough and unexplained bruises, and I felt constantly out of breath.
Stephanie:
Back in 2019, I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and was only given two weeks to live. I stayed the entire month in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy every day and blood transfusions. When I was released from the hospital at the end of August 2019, the doctor said I needed to do chemotherapy every day for nine months, and I would not be able to work.
I’ve lived a mostly normal 27 years on this earth. A life filled with wonderful academics, Division 1 athletics (pole vault), financial internships, and fantastic sales roles at companies I really enjoyed.
However, my life changed drastically on February 28th, 2023.
In 2016, my Mom/daughter's grandma, Baba (Judith W), was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). After her first round of chemo, she was discharged from a one-month hospital stay on my daughter's third birthday. Best birthday present ever. She continued fighting the disease with more chemo and ultimately received a stem cell transplant from an amazing donor.
We were first sent to Children’s Mercy on January 5 with suspicion of an abscess in her neck. After multiple diagnostic tests, referrals to various medical specialists, and labs drawn, they came to a rheumatologic diagnosis of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SJIA).
It was November 2023. The doctor looked at me and said, “Mr. Reese, I’m terribly sorry to have to tell you this, but the leukemia has relapsed again. Combined with the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that is currently raging, we no longer have options for treatment. Our suggestion is that you start comfort care through hospice.”
Hi my name is Jessica and I am 21 years old. Two weeks before my 12th birthday I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which would completely alter the entire of my life moving forward. Due to the complexity and aggressiveness of my treatment, I was always receiving my treatment inpatient.
I was diagnosed in June 2022 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Philadelphia chromosome +. My blood was tested in April and all was well, by the time May came around I had 50% cell blasts. I was treated in December 2022 with chemo and my bone marrow transplant. Thankfully, my younger brother was a 100% match to be able to donate his cells.
