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ALL Patient with some concerns!

Hello all,
I’m a 19 year old ALL (leukemia) patient in in the chicagoland and i happened across this site through google. I figured i might as well ask for some advice from other teens with the same illness rather than hearing “you’ll get through this” over and over from friends and family. I was diagnosed in mid April and like many it came across as a big shock. I’m not to concerned about it as i know i will be having excellent medical ccare and will move on but i was a rather active person as a full time student, almost working full time hours, a hobby in weightlifting, and hanging out with friends of course. Would anyone mind sharing their story with me,specificaly how long it took to get back to “normal” life as i hate being restricted in any means and my port does not allow me the pleasure of lifting.
Thanks all
-Javier

June 27, 2012 by  
Filed under Coping with Cancer

6 Comments

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  • Leah Shearer

    Hi Javier,

    You are not alone…lots of teens here with ALL.
    A-haaa the “you’ll get through this”. I am well aware of this comforting yet often frustrating line. If given by someone who hasn’t walked the particular direction it sure can feel rather like an empty statement.

    Just remember they are trying to be reassuring. And yes…you will get through tougher stuff then you might have ever imagined having to wander through…Trust me I can say that myself. I can say that because I have walked the cancer walk myself twice.

    And with regard to your concern about getting back to normal…it will happen. Taking one day at a time sounds like something you’ve heard before but trust me when I say it’s really good advice.

    Actually, one of our programs called TLC Fit- which you may have seen on the website is designed to help teen survivors back in shape after cancer. We launched it here in Rochester and in the fall the same program will begin in Washington D.C.! Not sure where you live but read all about it in the newsletter….

    Anyone else have experiences to share with Javier?

    Leah Shearer
    TLC Program Coordinator
    Rochester, NY

  • http://www.facebook.com/quinton.cook.3 Quinton Cook

    Javier,

    Hey man my name Quinton, I’m 20 now and I was diagnosed with ALL a little over two years ago in June 22, 2010. I was right after I graduated so I had big plans to get out of the house, move on to college, and start a new chapter in life. So yeah, plans got a bit rocked up. Like you man I was pretty active in sports too and my big think was running, long distance track, XC, the whole deal. I know that when you’re active and fit it gets kind of depressing trying to hold back and knowing that pushing and challenging yourself can be much more harmful than strengthening. Not gonna lie, I’m not exactly the poster boy for taking it slow and one step at a time, but trust me whenever I can get in the swing of things its tough and frustrating at times, but it really does work. I’m sorry that your port can restrict you from the exercise that you love most, but it should get more flexible with time though, heck I was able to go snowboarding and shooting (I’m right-handed so the recoil is a bit dangerous.) I the mean time, maybe you can ask your doctor about working with other intensive exercise like PX90 or Cross-fit. They usually don’t require weights unfortunately, but are great for maintaining your build.

    I know that “You’ll be fine” or “Your looking great man” or “Everything’s gonna be OK” are just our loved ones showing their support and concern, but after a few months (or even weeks) it becomes kinda a broken record. In fact that’s the first thing my dad said to mean when I learned I lost my ROTC scholarship because of my diagnosis, encouraging but not the pep talk I was looking for. I’m cancer free now, but I still have about another years worth of chemo treatments to go. But stay strong buddy, I don’t know if you believe in God or not but he get’s me though this every day and when I feel alone the most.

    Quinton Cook

  • Guest

    I’m 20 on my third year of chemo. I was sick this morning and every day I get more and more tired. Prepare for long battle.
    I manage to do weight lifting twice a week. I go out for walks every day to keep active.
    My best advice is to be postive.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/4KEVGNGDAAXXMGFOQPPXLGGBBU Daniela

    Hey Javier,

    Im Daniela, Im 17, and I’m from Chicagoland too. I was diagnosed with ALL when I was 12 and I relapsed this March. I also hate hearing “everything will be alright” a million times- but I think it’s because people don’t know how to respond when something like this happens and they want to keep you positive. Staying positive is really important during treatment so be sure to do it! :)

    As for getting back to normal, I feel like the first time I went through chemo, I wanted to do everything I used to, but I couldn’t, and especially now more than the first time, I don’t have enough energy to do it. The more you stay active (taking walks and such) the easier it’ll be to get back to “normal”. Just make sure you give yourself time to heal. Your health is more important than any other little stuff. For me personally, when I went through chemo, I wasn’t able to participate in gym for 2 years. So Freshman year, when I was free to run, I wanted to run every chance I got. You’ll learn to love those little things more than you can imagine right now :)

    Good luck with everything!

  • Jonaveze Versfeld

    im jonaveze, im 18 and wasjust diagnosed with lymphoma

    if u wanna talk add me on bbm 29d8051a or skype ; jonaveze21

  • Megan

    Hi Javier, my names megan I’ve got stage 4 lung cancer. i would love to share my story with you. facebook is easist for me to contact with.

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