07-13-2021, 09:02 AM
(07-12-2021, 04:47 PM)Millhouse Wrote: My story on this topic begins back in late 2020 and into January of this year. I was having multiple symptons emerge that I simply ignored, thinking they would go away. These symptons began in December and kept escalating until late January. They included fatigue, where it was hard to make it up a flight of steps without needing a rest. I noticed more and more mouth sores getting to point where I would wake up with blood on my pillow. When I went bathroom (1), it was getting a darker red color over time.
Now I should have went to the doctor right not long after all those symptons began. But one thing that also occurred that I didnt realize was my brain was also being effected. For example I have no memories for almost 3 weeks, nothing. My rationale thought process just wasnt there at the point it needed to be, even as my vision began to deteriorate.
One day in late January I just simply hit the floor, and couldn't get back up. 911 was called for me, and next thing I (barely remember) knew I was whisked away to the nearest hospital. Then I was whisked away to another hospital here down in Cincy waking up in the ICU. My hemoglobin was at a 3 which was deathly low as 7 is considerd the bare minimum, and 13 and above for the normal healthy person. My other numbers were extremely low as well.
So when I came to, my oncologist came in and told me I have Leukemia (a blood cancer). My particular type is A.L.L. with aggressive indicators in my marrow.
I would spend the next 3 weeks in the hospital getting the full court press of treatments and infusions until I was able to leave. Then in the following months up until a couple weeks ago, I underwent chemo, multiple bone marrow biopsies, a couple of lumbar injections, another week in the hospital for treatment, and getting my blood tested about 3 times a week. I am currently in "full" remission and feeling close to good again.
However, this was just phase 1 for me. Phase 2 begins very soon as I am going to be getting a bone marrow transplant due to the agressive indicators they found, with a 6 month to a year recovery after 4-5 weeks in the hospital. This is the end game for what I have, and assuming it all goes right, I will be cured for rest of my life.
So why am I sharing this, and in quite a bit of detail? I guess it's because I was literally within a couple days to a week from, well, you know. I was lucky someone was there with me to call 911. I ignored all the warning signs and it almost cost me dearly.
Hopefully if any of you going forward have health concerns just not right and getting worse, go see a doctor. It could be a heart, kidney, brain, lung, etc. etc. etc. problem that your body is letting you know about. Also make sure your insurance is in good order. So far I am up over 300k worth of drugs, chemo, infusions, hospitals, etc. , and what is coming can easily double that. Eight months ago however, I was feeling good and healthy.
MY wife went thru this very thing just 3 years ago. they found it 1 or 2 days after we closed on our house.
I hope everything works out for you and you are able to find a high match donor.
Best if luck and as they say.. Be Well
