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Secondary leukemia

Hi! My name is Farah and I got diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma last January when I was 12 (turning 13). I finished treatment by August of 2010 and I was back in school by October. I’m in 8th grade now and there is a month of school left. I went to CHOP (Childrens’ Hospital of Philadelphia) for my monthly check-up. I  honestly thought I was doing very good, but I had my blood counts checked and my platelets were only 44 (they’re supposed to be around 150-200). My doctor thought it was just clumping in the tube so he went to look at it underneathe a microscope. Turns out that a quarter of my blood was filled with these weird immature cells. The next day (which was yesterday) I got a bone marrow aspiration done. The results were bad. I have a leukemia called AML, which was caused by my chemotherapy from my previous treatments. I didn’t think that I was at risk for anything but a relapse. My doctor told me that Secondary Leukemias are pretty rare, but they can treat it. I don’t feel like going through chemo and a bone marrow transplant, but I have to. I just want some advice from people who have had relapses or even secondary leukemia <3

April 29, 2011 by  
Filed under Newly Diagnosed

8 Comments

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  • Rachel

    Farah, I’m so sorry to hear that this has happened to you. You must be going through a terribly difficult time right now, but you just have to try and stay positive.

    I’m a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor and I also relapsed. I was diagnosed at 14, went into remission four months later, and relapsed 9 months after that. It was devastating, and I know what you mean when you say that you don’t want to go through it all again. It’s so hard to get through it the first time, and then later find out that it’s not over. The thing is though that you have to do whatever will make you better, so as hard as it is, you just have to keep on going. I also had to have a transplant, however it was autologous (meaning the stem cells came from my own body), and I believe that with leukemia you have to get bone marrow from someone else, if I’m not mistaken. My advice while going through the treatment is to stay strong, keep on doing the things that you love (I love music, so I made sure something was always playing), and to keep in touch with your friends. I send you my best wishes on getting better as soon as possible. You can do it. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of people rooting for you. :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1644841150 Domi

    I am soo sorry that this happened. I had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and relapsed about a year later. It is an awful thing to have to go through! Stay strong! I will definitely be keeping you in prayer! <3

  • Jasmine Rae

    I didn’t relapse but i’m still in treatment for AML i was diagnosed when i was 16 im now 17. But you’ll get through this. I think you’re really strong for going through the first at that age. Stay Strong

  • alyssa

    A relapse may be the worst nightmare for a cancer patient! I happen to be a cancer patient, too and yes, I relapsed.
    But, the best thing to do is to have the inner will and determination to overcome it. The positivity you create in your mind will have a positive effect in your body.
    Also try your best to build your immune system- what you eat is what you get… Believe me, it’s gonna help you a lot!
    Remain open about what your doctors say, but don’t always believe what they say. Sometimes, they only say what you want to hear. Don’t be afraid to tell them how you feel and what you want. (Remember, it’s your body. So, you know and feel it better than they do)
    Know as much as you can about your case.
    Know your options, your rights, and your limitations.
    In that way, you can fight cancer in the best way you can! Take care!

  • Nikki

    I have hodgkin’s lymphoma, and am in treatment, im turning 18, and know how hard it is to go through this, but i wanted to let you know how strong i think you are. Just this little that you had written made me cry! I wish you didnt have to go through this, and i would love to send letters back and forth with you to keep up your spirits! You are so strong, and i know i dont know you, but i am proud of you! God Bless people like you in this world! ~Nikki yatesnikki16@yahoo.com

  • Krystal

    Hey Farah,
    I don’t personally have cancer, but my 2 year old daughter does. She was diagnosed with Biphenotypic Leukemia in April. Which is ALL and AML together. She has gone through to rounds of AML chemotherapy and we are starting her 3rd round with ALL chemotherapy tomorrow. I’m really sorry to hear about this. I will never fully understand your pain, but in some ways I can. If you ever need to talk or anything, feel free to email me anytime. iluvyoumuah@hotmail.com. I’ll be praying for you and your family and you will be in my thoughts.

    -Krystal and Sunni

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003571417059 Livia Ellen

    well , im not diagnosed by cancer but im glad i never had it, i really interested in it, i hope i can support you all guys, life is not about happiness only, sometimes we need to fight and dont give u to face the problem in front of us , we r strong!

    Cancer is just a sickness which try to make u weak, but i believe you all can fight it !
    well take care staystrong , im here to be a random friend to talk for you :) – liviaellen@msn.com

  • Anonymous

    My name is Shianne, and I have non-hodgkins lymphoma. If you want anyone to talk to, I would love to talk with you. My e-mail is lasunshine@me.com.You can see my story, too. Just search my name(:

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