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diagnosis

Faith and a fully matched sibling help beat back severe aplastic anemia

Person's Name: 
Valerie Diaz

In October 2017 I was hospitalized for extreme dizziness, vomiting, fatigue, bruising, and shortness of breath. As an active, healthy person, having these symptoms was worrisome. My husband took me to the emergency room, where they performed a series of tests. We waited for my results, and a nurse looked at me and asked if I realized how pale I looked, and neither my husband or I had even noticed.

Bone Marrow Disease(s): 

Paige Cranwell: "My Half-Match Miracle"

Person's Name: 
Paige Cranwell

In May 2017, life was good and I was “living the dream”. I had been working full time for about a year after graduating from the University of Kentucky. I was living in Columbus, Ohio, working for an organization that supports children with childhood cancer and catastrophic disease. Everything was on track for my future.

I started to feel sick. At first it seemed like flu-like symptoms of fatigue, racing heartbeat, lack of energy and some bruising that just wouldn’t go away.

Bone Marrow Disease(s): 

Providence (RI) LLS Blood Cancer Support Group

We are pleased to let patients and families know about the LLS blood cancer support group opportunities around the country. These support groups are facilitated by LLS, not AAMDSIF. This group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from  5:30pm-7:00pm. The group is facilitated by Jim Willsey, Ellie Colins, Susan Garland and Diane Passantino.  If you would like to join the support group or want more information, please contact LLS, (401) 943-8888. 

 

 

 

Lansing (MI) LLS Virtual Blood Cancer Support Group

We are pleased to let patients and families know about the LLS blood cancer support group opportunities around the country. These support groups are facilitated by LLS, not AAMDSIF. This group meets on the  the second Thursday of the month from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Breslin Cancer Center 401 W Greenlawn Avenue Lansing, MI  48910. The group is facilitated by Robin Willner.  There is no charge to participate in this group but pre-registration is required, https://www.llsform.org/ho0999SER/LAN1FSG/index.html

Little Rock (AR) LLS Virtual Blood Cancer Support Group

We are pleased to let patients and families know about the LLS blood cancer support group opportunities around the country. These support groups are facilitated by LLS, not AAMDSIF. This virtual group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00-8:00 PM.  If you have any questions about the group, please contact - Harold Dean at DeanHaroldM@uams.edu or April Dumond, RN, MSN, OCN at radumond@aol.com. Regitration is required to receive the login information to join the group.

Aplastic Anemia and Treatment-Related Complications Influence Career Choice

Person's Name: 
Bridget Daw

In December 1992, I was an 8-year-old, halfway through second grade, when strep throat and a urinary tract infection just wouldn’t go away. A late-night trip to the emergency room revealed dangerously low levels of platelets, which explained this and the severe bruising all over my body and rashes on my joints. My platelets were under 2,000 and I was supposed to have 250,000.

Bone Marrow Disease(s): 

Patient Trusts Her Instincts in Finding the Right Treatment

Person's Name: 
Sherry Pratt

I never thought I would be diagnosed with cancer. I taught exercise classes, walked every day, ate a Mediterranean diet, and paid attention to products I used on my skin.  I became a certified health coach and taught healthy living classes.  

Bone Marrow Disease(s): 

I Was Alone With MDS Until I Connected With Others on Social Media

Person's Name: 
Jane Biehl, PhD

I sat quietly in the oncologist’s office. The doctor confirmed that my diagnosis was MDS and calmly stated, “The average survival term for your kind of MDS is 104 months.” I felt the room spin.

 

I never have been healthy, and suffered from upper respiratory infections all my life. Kidney and bladder infections plagued me all through college, and I have had a severe hearing loss since birth. I had been diagnosed in 1986 with an IGA deficiency, meaning that I had insufficient immunity although I was treated symptomatically with antibiotics when needed.

 

Bone Marrow Disease(s):