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Leukemia

My name is Katlynn and I am 19 and a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, after that i was in the hospital for a week they told me I am going to lose my hair and I am ready to embrace that when it actually comes, they started chemo and so I have heard a lot of stuff that could happen or is going to happen but I don’t know if what I am going through is normal, People were asking my parents if the cancer I have is contagous and how exactly I got it, people with out cancer don’t get it, they dont seem to understand that I am sick and I cannot go to public places because of germs and its kind of irritating… I guess what I need is someone thats going through the same thing to compare notes to make sure I am not the only teenager this is happening to. Thanks for listening :)

April 7, 2011 by  
Filed under Newly Diagnosed

5 Comments

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513670386 Kayla Blair

    I find that on the days I feel awesome, I go out where ever I want. I just have to be careful. Carry hand sanitizer around in your purse, wash your hands before you eat.. Don’t let people cough on you lol. The first week after chemo I was careful and stayed inside…just rested. But I have a 3 week break until my next round of chemo and during week two I went out for coffee with friends, I even went out dancing with some friends. You just have to be careful and take you temp atleast twice a day.

    Don’t isolate yourself too much.. you want to keep most of your life normal! It will be two months on sunday since I was diagnosed with a rare form of Ewing’s Sarcoma. I still have my hair but it is quickly thinning.. I am cutting it short on Monday.. not really excited about it but it is better than it falling out when it is so long!

    Good Luck!!! and Keep Positive!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1846404172 Katie Darr

    You are certainly not alone. I was diagnosed with ALL in my freshman year of high school. I was very scared about losing my hair, but for some reason my hair never thinned to the point where I needed to wear a wig. This might sound weird, but I’m very happy I came across this because I was feeling quite alone. Obviously I would never wish this on anyone, but it’s hard to go to school with people who don’t know what’s going on and don’t understand why one day I’m fine and then all of a sudden I’m out for a week. In the beginning it was hard to be trapped indoors all of the time, but my true friends really made an effort to come see me, when they were healthy of course. One of the hardest parts was not being able to see my best friend for a month because she had mono and my immune system, or lack of, couldn’t handle that. On the 29th of April it will mark the 1 year and 7 month “anniversary” of my diagnosis. I’ve been in remission for most of that time, but I won’t be finished with treatment until January 21, 2012. Sorry for venting on your post, but I guess I had to let some stuff out too. I guess I should write about some positive things I was able to do during the course of my treatment. Since I have been in the maintenance phase of my treatment, I have traveled to Florida twice, as well as, to France. Any time I’m able to go out to dinner or lunch with my friends, I consider it a small victory in my book. Thank you for understanding what I’m going through, I hope I was able to help a little.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1610011937 Quinton Cook

    Hi Katlynn, believe it or not I’m almost going through the exact same crap that you are going through now. I am 19 as well and I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) just last summer, June 2010. And trust me, everything that you’re going though is completely normal and expected. I’ve been dealing with chemo for nearly ten months now so some things became a bit clearer to me. I’m sure you know by now that ALL is a blood cancer and not contagious but there asking that for concern. When I first got and was really sick my entire friends wanted me to hang out and be all social to; and that’s because they just wanted the old me back more than anything. It really is frustrating that people can’t understand what we’re going through, but they never really will; unless they experience it for themselves, (pray that never happens). Also be ready for the next several months of everyone constantly asking you, “How ya been feeling?” or “How’s treatment been going?” or anything related to that. And with the hell chemo can give ya, your response probably isn’t going to usually be positive. But hey, you’re not alone though ok? Even though you feel like it. If you wanta go to this link, it’s my Caring Bridge page (a web site where you can better connect with friends and family bot you condition) were you can read more bot my story if you’d want to check it out some time, and maybe use the website to make your own caring bridge sit. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/quintoncook

    Also my email address is quintonator09@yahoo.com if ya got any other questions or just wanta chat bot stuff.
    Stay Strong Katlynn, I’ll be praying for you; always remember to NEVER GIVE UP!

  • Ruby

    hey,im not to sure how to start this only just found this sit but here goes..
    im 16 and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(ALL) in january i was in hospital for a month and i have intense treatment for 10months they’ve told me,and then 2years matance.I cant say i give the best advice as im find it hard to cope somtimes as its still so new to me.Somtimes can really get to you as you never really understand why its happend to you and as you cant really see it you try to block it out.I cut my hair short and i was very upsetting for me but i found it alot easier once it was almost gone instead of finding hair everywhere.Having someone there helps,my mums been there all the way and we tryed to make a laugh out off it and did different hair styles its now very short ands slowly thinning out.Alot of people dont actually rerlise whats happening and how it effects you.Also the neutropenic diet doesnt help..along with all the tablets but i think once you get into it more it becomes your life.Somtimes you have really bad days and somtimes really good.My mums always told me when im feeling well to get out and do as much as i can,and it does help just for a while.I agree with the hand sanitizer always handy.Its nice to find someone who has the same type as you to talk to but you have to remember that everyones different so some people have different side effects and cope differently.I find somtimes you feel so tired and you just want to sleep all day which can be very annoying.Also they medicine made the tips of my fingers tingle and my legs have become weaker.This shouldnt stop you from doing anything you want to,this should only make you stronger.Hope all goes well,keep smiling!

  • Rachel

    Hey Katlynn,

    I’m sorry to hear that you were recently diagnosed. Unfortunately, with respect to people thinking that “cancer is contagious”, it’s really just a lack of understanding on their part. I know that it can be frustrating, but try to remember that they’re not saying this to upset you, they just probably aren’t very informed on what cancer is. I know it’s also really frustrating to not be able to go where you want, but like others have said, don’t isolate yourself. Definitely keep on top of washing your hands and avoiding anyone who is sick, but you need fresh air once in a while. It might help to go out at strategic times (i.e. not a lunchtime so you won’t run into masses of people if you’re going to an enclosed space), or go to the mall on a Monday when it opens. ;) That being said, your health should come first so do be careful about germs, but don’t let it control your life.

    Feel better!

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