My journey with this illness started at just around about two years old. I was told by my family that I had gotten sick with pneumonia and my immune system just worsened to the point of aplastic anemia aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… . During this period of my life, I was in Pakistan and I was born in Lahore. I resided with my mom and siblings while my dad was away in the US. All I know is that it was a difficult time for my parents trying to get me the right treatment. I am told I had weekly or so blood transfusions blood transfusions: A blood transfusion is a safe and common procedure. Most people who have a bone marrow failure disease like aplastic anemia, MDS or PNH will receive at least one blood transfusion. When you receive a blood transfusion, parts of blood from a donor are put into your bloodstream. This can help some… , everyone was always concerned for me to not get hurt and get cut anywhere, and failed treatment with steroids in Pakistan.
The doctors recommended my parents to take me abroad. Luckily, I was able to come here for treatment with my mom and older brother. My brother was granted visa due to his matching blood type with me—while my sisters remained in Pakistan with my aunt and uncle.
I believe I was enrolled in a research/clinical trial, and my illness was cured without needing a bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is also called a stem cell transplant (SCT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).The procedure replaces unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones and offers some patients the possibility of a cure. But for many patients, a BMT is not an option due… . I don’t have the exact details of my treatment and it’s a question I have been avoiding my whole life because I didn’t know where to look for answers.
All I know is that I didn’t cry, my mom tells me I promised her how I would beat my illness and recover soon. It's a sweet thought but then I wonder why is it that I was so poised as such a young person to be able to hold such strength and not even cry, when I have spent a lifetime crying almost all the time.
Although I recovered—over the years I have been prone to easily being sick and also depression. For about 5-6 years now, I have been on and off into therapy to address my ADHD, anxiety, and depression. At twenty-six years old I had to address my debilitating eating disorder. I was down to ninety-five pounds because of anorexia. This October it will also be fifteen years since my dad’s death. And that was a toll that took on my soul in a different way.
I just haven’t only suffered with my health; I also managed to achieve some things along the way too. I was a pretty good student all through the years and was granted a scholarship to a really great University. I didn’t accomplish my dream of becoming a doctor, but I studied philosophy to deal with my mind. I have been working in the corporate world and found my way into tech as a consultant. More than anything I have been a lifelong artist.
Tonight, I finally found the courage to begin sharing my story.