Tag Archives: survivor

You Want Me To Do WHAT During Treatment?

When you think of what cancer treatment might be like or even what you’ve witnessed in the past, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Sick people laying in a hospital bed? That’s what I thought of. It’s even an accurate depiction of what I had experienced up to the point I was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. I’m happy to say, gone are the days of spending all day in a hospital bed during cancer treatment – at least the expectation of. I wore my own clothes in the hospital, cleaned my own body, made my own bed and even used the hospital kitchenette to heat up and eat the home cooked food that others brought for me. All that said, there is nothing that could have prepared me for the day my oncologist told me how much I should be exercising during treatment.

What Does Remission Really Mean (To Me)?

I’ve met so many people over the last 3 years, since my diagnosis of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. So many people with their own stories – whether they be as patients, survivors, caregivers, medical professionals – some of which are patients also. I’ve come to realize that everyone has their own way of celebrating their winsContinueContinue reading “What Does Remission Really Mean (To Me)?”

Survivors Guilt: The Precipice of Self Sabotage

When I received the conclusive diagnosis that indeed, I was suffering from was Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, I was told repeatedly over the next 4 months of treatment, ‘Of all the leukemias to have, this is the one you want to have!’.  I think the intention of such a comment was to make me feel comforted.  However, the mind of a newly diagnosed leukemia patient, fighting for their life is a complex one.  Initially, I didn’t really have any thoughts about this.  I just kind of figured it was what it was.  I couldn’t give my leukemia back and I didn’t get to exchange it for another one anyway soooo, there wasn’t a ton of value in such a statement. However, as the weeks and then months rolled by, it crept into my thoughts often and eventually it hit me; I felt guilty.