While I was talking to my mother about my Dad's treatments, she remembered keeping a tally of many of his treatments. These are not all the treatments and procedures that he went through. This list gives you and idea of how much can happen over the course of 2 years in a single case of Leukemia.
Between 12/2001 and 12/2003:
Here's you chance to help save other people from these experiences. Take a minute and donate something to help cure blood cancers. As a group, we can pull together and we can do this.
Leukemia had a second major impact on my life shortly after I entered the world as an adult. I was a year or 2 out of college working at my first big job and just married. Life was good and things were going well for me. Little did I know that as we approached the holiday season my world would be rocked.
I didn't realize it, but my dad hadn't been feeling very well for a few weeks. He finally gave in and went to the doctor to see what was going on. Within 24 hours he was in the hospital, diagnosed with Leukemia and literally fighting for his life. He had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), it was advanced and he had developed other infections which were making him septic. They said he probably would not make it 3 weeks. His odds of survival were less than 10%.
For those that don't know, AML is called the "Silent Killer" because you rarely get symptoms before you are in the end stage. People with AML usually die within 4-6 months and have no symptoms until the last few weeks. Like my father's case, by the time a person goes to the doctor, the cancer isn't the only problem. There are infections and other issues that have to be treated at the same time as the cancer treatment.
My dad made it through those first 3 weeks. He was essentially in and out of consciousness for the next 4 weeks while the doctors worked diligently to treat all the secondary infections while infusing him with several different kinds of chemo. His battle with cancer had begun. My dad would end up going through countless rounds of chemo and would go into remission multiple times while we waited for a donor to be found.
When my dad was diagnosed, he was in his early 50s. The only full cure was a bone marrow transplant (BMT). Unfortunately, at his age, the risks were much greater. Normally for a BMT, the doctors dose you with enough chemo and full body radiation treatments to kill your bone marrow. You get your transplant and if it takes you are good. If it doesn't take, you are stuck without an immune system while the doctors regroup.
My dad’s transplant was a little different. They were researching and experimenting with brand new protocols. One of these new protocols was for patients over 50. It was to give just enough chemo and radiation to essentially weaken the patient’s bone marrow. The new healthy marrow was then introduced and it should take over in place of the old marrow. This would give the patient a "fall-back" in case the BMT doesn't take. Fourteen years ago, Dad was the second person to undergo this new protocol treatment.
The transplant worked and Dad survived. Who knows what would have happened without the experimental protocol. This protocol is just one example of changes that are funded by LLS donations. These advances are the reason why we can make a difference to the lives of people. Thanks to these treatments, I've had another 15 years with my dad. He's had the opportunity to see my daughters. My daughters have gotten to know a wonderful man and had great life experiences that would have been completely missed.
This is your chance to help others. Every donation has the power to change a life.
Leukemia has had a direct impact on my life multiple times, both as a child and as an adult. One of those times was when I was young. I spent many days growing up with my twin cousins. We played together, fought together and generally did all the things little boys did. When I was 6, my cousin Adam was diagnosed with leukemia. His family and the doctors did everything they could but sadly Adam lost his battle.
When Adam was diagnosed in the early 80's, there was only a 1 in 3 chance of survival. Over the course of the last 30 years, research has led to new treatments and we've reversed those numbers. Today, children diagnosed with leukemia have a 65% chance of survival. Much of the research necessary to move the survival rates forward had been made possible by donations.
Adam would have turned 40 this year. This is your chance to make sure some other child doesn't miss out on all those years of life. Take a moment and donate a few dollars to help fund further leukemia and lymphoma research. Here is your chance to help save a life.
Those of you that know me, know that I've spent the last couple of years working hard to lose weight and get in shape. I've lost over 100 pounds and gone from barely walking 2 miles to running 10+ miles.
To challenge myself, I've signed up to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and run the Rock 'N Roll Marathon in Savannah. That's right. I've signed up to willingly run 26.2 miles. I may be insane, but at least my insanity can do some good by helping to cure blood cancers.
Every 3 minutes somebody is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Thanks to research funded by people like you, we've made dramatic increase in the survival rates. Now's your chance to help contribute and completely wipe out blood cancers.
Take a minute and look under those couch cushions to see what you can scrape up. Every donation helps me achieve my goal and helps the LLS fund new treatments for blood cancer patients.
Thank you for supporting me.
WELCOME TO MY TEAM IN TRAINING (TNT) HOME PAGE!
It takes more than one person to make up a team and that’s why I’m asking you to donate to my TNT fundraising page for TNT!
By participating as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) TNT, I am raising funds to help find cures and ensure access to treatments for blood cancer patients.
Your donation will help fund treatments that save lives every day; like immunotherapies that use a person’s own immune system to kill cancer. You may not know it, but every single donation helps save a life with breakthrough therapies such as these.
Patients need these cures and they need your support.
Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help get us all closer to a world without blood cancers.
Thank you!
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.