Hayley’s Story (Leukemia)

On the 8th of January, I was diagnosed with AML. I was shocked and absolutely devastated. I didn’t want to die. A day after the diagnosis, I decided that I wasn’t going to let this beat me. All I did was stay positive and focus on the best outcome. It was only a week, and I commenced my first round of chemo. It had done its job, and I was in remission.

During this time was the hair loss. I had beautiful long hair, but I knew I had to be strong and cut it off. So to prepare myself, I got my cousin to cut it a tad shorter than my shoulders. It started to fall out bad, so I got the courage to shave it off myself. This on its own showed me strength I never knew I had. So, with being in remission, I got to go home for a week and come back and start RND 2 as an outpatient. Unfortunately, the AML returned. I had to go back to hospital for RND 3. I wasn’t recovering at all and needed a bone marrow transplant. I was transferred to a new hospital to have this done.

At this point, my white blood cells still weren’t recovering, so I had no immune system. I got a sinus infection and then started to go downhill. I got severe infections and was put in ICU on life support. All my major organs were failing, and I was dying. My family was told to prepare. Then miraculously, my transplant grafted, and my body started to fight back. I don’t have any recollection of this, due to being in a coma. I was woken up after being asleep for 18 days. I was scared and unsure of what was happening. I had lost 12kg and was small to begin with. My skin was different, and worst of all, I lost all strength and mobility. I couldn’t walk, feed myself, go to the toilet or anything. It was extremely hard for me to understand, but I just kept pushing through.

Today it has been around 2 months since I woke up, and I’m now out of hospital at a private leukemia foundation house for myself and my parents. I can now walk, shower, use the toliet, make drinks and small foods, make my bed, etc. I’m still a long way off from being back to myself again, but I’m grateful I’m here. All my doctors say I’m a miracle case and tell me I’m lucky to be here and that I amazed them with my recovery.

I had never imagined that this would happen to me, but it did, and I grew stronger and braver than I have ever have been. I’m lucky that I had a donor for transplant because if I didn’t, I would not be here. I spent 7 months in hospital, and I’m out. This disease will never take me down. Stay positive, no matter what your situation is.

Hayley
New South Wales, Australia
Submitted 08/19/2016

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.