My name is Anh Kim Van Sandusky, and I am 15 years old. I also have leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood. I have had leukemia since I was 11 years old, four years now.
Unfortunately, this is my second bout of cancer. I first had cancer at the age of six, but I had bone cancer then. It affected the bones in my leg, and to keep it from spreading, I had to have my leg amputated. That's right..I only have one leg. But crutches help me to get around, and despite my having to use crutches (I use the forearm kind), I can get to any place I need to go! I am super fast on my crutches; I am like a CHEETAH on my crutches!!
I was born in Vietnam. I was adopted at the age of 10, so I have been with my family for almost 5 years. It will be 5 years in October of this year.
When I was 11, I became sick. I was very tired, and I didn't feel right. I also bruised very easily, and I kept finding new bruises, even though I didn't remember bumping myself. I was also very weak and feverish, and I felt cruddy. Well, moms took me to the hospital, and I was admitted for tests when they found my blood count being out of whack. When they tested my blood, it was discovered that I had leukemia, or cancer of the blood.
Of course, as you can imagine, it scared the living hell out of me. The word kept echoing in my head over and over again. LEUKEMIA. LEUKEMIA. LEUKEMIA. It was starting to drive me NUTS! Moms's eyes filled with tears, and daddy looked like he was about to pass out. I was afraid that I was going to die.
In leukemia, the number of white blood cells develop and multiply quickly, and they tend to crowd out the red blood cells. Because of this, the person will often feel weak and sick; leukemia makes a person more susceptible to infections. A person also becomes anemic, or has a lack of iron in their blood; and this makes them feel cruddy, too.
In leukemia, the number of blood platelets also drops. This decreases the blood's ability to clot (hence, the bruising I had when I was first diagnosed with the leukemia). The person may bleed eccessively if they have a cut or a nosebleed. It is really GROSS when THAT happens!
I am more susceptible to colds or flus, so I have to be EXTREMELY careful and do all I possibly can to prevent on getting it. If I happen to get a cold or the flu, it could possibly kill me.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, is the most common type of the leukemias found in children; and this so happens to be the type of leukemia in which I happen to have.
I had all the symptoms of leukemia when I was diagnosed. I had weakness and fatigue (tiredness), loss of appetite or weight, easy bruising and bleeding, frequent infections, paleness to skin, fever or chills, tiny red spots under the skin (these are called petichae), and joint and bone pain. This was how it was discovered that I had leukemia. In addition, I also had vomiting, headaches, confusion, and loss of muscle control. Let's face it: I was a total SPAZ!!
I had several tests. First, my pediatrician took my medical history and seemed concerned when I told him of my cancer I had at the age of six. They wanted to know about any serious illnesses I may have had in the past (like the bone cancer which resulted in the loss of my leg), and if my family had any serious illnesses. This information might help to explain why I was having the symptoms I was having.
Secondly, I had a checkup. They checked my blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate. They also checked to see if my live, spleen, or lymph nodes were swollen (in which they were). My doctors also listened to my breathing, and they listened to me as I told them of the symptoms I was having.
Thirdly, blood tests were taken. Laboratory techs placed a sample of my blood under a microscope and looked at it. They can tell if leukemia cells are presesnt. They were in mine, which was how I was diagnosed.
As a result, I had to have a very painful test called a bone marrow test. A doctor will remove liquid bone marrow from my hipbone. This was done at the hospital in the x-ray area. It hurt like hell, and I cried like a baby. But it was over in 15 minutes; but I still cried. I was so scared!!
And finally, I had a series of x-rays and a spinal tap done (another PAINful test). They wanted to see if the leukemia went to my brain or nervous system, which it already had done so (which was why I was confused, headachy, and had loss of muscle control).
Once the fact that I had leukemia was established, a treatment plan for me could begin. The goal of treatment for leukemia is that the person who has it can go into remission, or when the person shows no signs of the disease. But during the course of treatment, a person could get better and then get the symptoms at a later date (this is known as a "relapse"). But doctors say a person is considered "cured" when they show no symptoms for a period of 5 years AFTER treatment stops.
Unfortunately, this isn't what has happened to me. I still have to go in for chemo, and I still show symptoms of leukemia from time to time. But there is always hope, and I look forward to THAT DAY, where I am at last cured of my leukemia!
Chemotherapy is how leukemia is commonly treated. It's a therapy involving cancer-fighting drugs. The person receives one or more very powerful drugs; these drugs are supposed to kill the leukemia cells or slow their growth.
A person may get an injection or pills to treat their leukemia, but as for me, I get the most common form of treatment: the I.V. The drug goes directly into my veins through an I.V. tube connected to a bottle or bag on an I.V. stand; and there is a needle connected to the tubing that goes into a vein in my arm.
The treatment is done in two stages. During the first stage, the person with leukemia gets intensive amounts of cancer-fighting drugs. This continues until the person no longer has symptoms of leukemia. This may go on from several weeks to as long as several months.
The second stage of treatment for leukemia is more relaxed. The person continues receiving treatment and gets the drugs, but in smaller doses, and he or she can return to a more normal lifestyle. The person has regular checkups, blood tests, and bone marrow tests, as well as spinal taps, to see if there's a relapse. This stage takes longer; it may go on for as long as two to three years..and possibly longer. (I'm in this stage.)
Unfortunately, the drugs used in my treatment have unpleasant side effects. I have experienced hair loss, nausea/upset stomach,
extreme tiredness, dry skin, and mouth sores (those are the WORST!!). Not everyoe gets side effects, but some people are hit especially hard. I was one who WAS. I am tired, nauseated, and my mouth hurts most of the time; and eating is such a chore for me. Even WATER is painful for me. Plus I am as bald as Yul Brynner; I look like I could play the king in "The King and I"!
In addition to the chemo I get, I also get drugs that help reduce, or lessen, the side effects caused by the chemotherapy. I also get transfusions from time to time, to help build up my blood and control bleeding.
Fortunately, though, despite my cancer, I have tons of support. My family has been especially supportive, and they have kept me in their prayers, which is a very nice thing of them to do, even if I AM a Buddhist! I also have the support of Buddha, and I know he is watching out over me and protecting me! I also have my docs, and I go see a counselor once a week, just to talk about things that may be bothering me. That's helped my mental state tremendously! I also talk to Pastor Bilkey if I go to church with my family. Even though I am not a Christian, he has been especially kind, and I think he is a great guy!!
I also hang out with friends at the cancer center, and we can always lean on each other and talk about our cancer stories. Sometimes we sing or play games, and we always laugh and act goofy. (Hey, we may have cancer, but we're just like most kids! :) )
Leukemia is a real drag a lot of the time, especially if you're a teenager like I am. Teens are so concerned about "body image" and self-esteem or how they may "look" to others, and unfortunately, cancer kids such as myself are often picked on. Well, I don't let it bother me, but if it does, I just whack them one with my CRUTCH; and then they shut up! :)
School can also be a problem. I miss a lot of school because of my chemo treatments or because I am feeling poorly; but I am NOT behind, thanks to my friends bringing my schoolwork by, and I can keep up with it if I am feeling strong (or well) enough.
But there is GOOD news in all of this. Leukemia patients are living longer than EVER before. Back in the 60's, leukemia survival rates ran only at 4%. Now, it is in the 80% range. Quite a HUGE difference, huh? And childhood leukemia (the kind I have) is one of the EASIEST forms of cancer to treat! More reason to have hope! :)
I owe it ALL to Buddha, as he has protected me! :) I know, with his help, I CAN lick this thing called LEUKEMIA!! :)
this is an excellent, informative write...karen, keep writing this series, this would make an outstanding book for children, their families, and medical personnel...PUBLISHERS, WHERE ARE YOU??? when this series is made into a book, may i have the second copy?...the first one should be yours! (((HUGS))), much love and support, karla. :)
An inspirational book about a unique world where trees hold intrinsic knowledge and powerful forces of energy. The group of students called the Planeteers demonstrate character building and not judge people base on their appearance, but judge them on
