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Patient Story |
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Marla PA United States female Living with Leukemia - rare type for 6 years, 4 months Age: 34 I was diagnosed with a rare form of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). I am 27 years old, a professional ballet dancer and teacher, and this came as a shock to me. I never would have thought that my bone pain and chronic fatigue would add up to cancer. I went into the hospital on 5/24/04, due to severe bruising from very low platelet counts. After a bone marrow biopsy on 5/25/04, I was informed I had leukemia. What? Not me. I was told that a new drug, ATRA, would give me a good chance of remission and possibly cure me. I felt relief, to some degree. After 4 weeks in the hospital, I am in a remission after the induction phase. It was hard. Treatments and infections were nasty. Nurses were very good, but I had to be my own advocate if I was unhappy with any of them. My family and significant other were amazing and support from friends and students were more helpful than they know, even if I never asked for their help. I have 2 more phases of treatments, over the next 2 years, and I am so fortunate that it has been successful thus far. I have felt guilty sometimes that I will be ok. Many people have far worse prognoses. Lots of tears and confusion are ok. Don't feel bad to feel good. I am lucky to be alive and have this new lease on life. I see everything different now. Fresh air and sunshine are definitely the best medicine. I know now that, after these treatments, I will need to do something positive for other people going through this nightmare. Keep thoughts of what beautiful things await in life. |
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