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Home > Collective Diary > Being young with Cancer

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Being young with Cancer

1-3Months

Taylor R. on June 9, 2017

I was Diagnosed with:

Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Inversion 16

Employment Status:

Unemployed

Gender/Age:

Female/23

Type and Description of Treatments:

My treatment was 7+3, I had Cytarbine 158 mg and Daunorubicin 95 mg in dextrose 5% chemo infusion, which i had continuously for 24 hours for 7 days my first round. I also got the lupron shot so i wouldn't have a menstrual cycle. I also received continuously piperacilian-tazobactam (zosyn) for 4 hours every day, i also received allopurinol (zyoprim), fluconazole (diflucan), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), acyclovir (zovirax), Posaconazde (noxafil), i also had zofran with the chemo. I got pain medicine when needed which was oxycodone, ativan or klonopin which i took klonpin for the first half month for anxiety until they changed it to paxil because the klonopin made me drowsy and made me seem drunk when i took it. I had two rounds of chemo the first round 7+3 and the second round 5+2. I had 4 bone marrow biopsy so far, and i have the port in my chest now and will have it for a year. I will have my 4 booster inpatient chemo treatments starting June 12th i will be in the hospital for 6 days then released and every week i will go twice to get blood taken and will receive blood and platelets if needed when i get checked. After 5 or 6 weeks i will go back and do the same thing stay in hospital 6 days i will do that a total of 4 rounds with 5 to 6 weeks to recover from each round for the next 6 months. I will have my 5th bone marrow biopsy and if i am in remission still i will be watched from there.

How do you feel today?

I feel awesome, i am officially in remission as of June 2, 2017

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?

I can no longer work for the next year or so. I was about to start school and now have to postpone do to my booster treatments. I no longer have hair and I had to come to terms with that which i have. You have friends that stopped talking to you come back and it's kinda crazy that they felt bad and needed to clear their conscience. My fiance has stood by me the whole time and we been together for 3 years, it shows how much someone can love you and stay strong for you even though you can tell they are hiding that they are hurting just as much as you are. Manly people coming out of nowhere that haven't talked to in a while try to come and visit you and bring you things. You see peoples true colors. My fiance likes to joke and say he rather have me bald forever because he knew how much my hair meant to me, he is the one that help me shave my head when it started to fall out.

What is going well for you right now?

My support from my fiance and family and friends
Me being in remission after two rounds of chemo where i didn't get a fever, infection or sick on chemo
I didn't loose weight besides 6 pounds from chemo, lost a half inch in height but that's okay.
I am home and not in the hospital after a month and 17 days

What is not going well for you right now?

Anxiety and a little of depression
Having nightmares sometimes

What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?

Understanding everything at a young age, especially never been sick besides allergies or chicken pox when i was little. Not being able to work, or go to school. Having people stare at you because you are bald and don't feel like wearing a wig so you wear a cancer hat thing.

When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?

My fiance Steven, he has been there by my side since day one. He is such a good man and keeps me calm when i have a panic attack or just a melt down. When i have nightmares he gets me up and cuddles me until i fall back asleep.

How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?

I couldn't start school since i will be having booster treatments for the next 6 months
Not being able to work anymore

What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?

I have no hours

Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?

No longer able to work

What has helped you continue to work the most?

Nothing sadly

What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?

Make sure you have alot of support from friends family boyfriends or girlfriends
it really helps to have them there and its okay to open up to them even if its just one anybody you feel comfortable with and willing to listen talk to them. Its okay to be nervous, scared, sad, happy, because that's normal it took me a while before it actually hit me that i had leukemia and especially the aggressive kind

How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?

i haven;t had any side effects from treatment

If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?

To be honest i have no idea, because its hard to find the right words because when i got told i heard i'm sorry and i just wanted to scream at them and tell them that they were at the wrong patient or that you were kidding. Just make sure you don't go along bring the person or persons you want there you will need them. I needed my fiance and he was there and stood by me when i needed him the most

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