Leukemia 101

Luekemia is a cancer (malignant disease) of the blood or 'bone marrow', (soft tissue found in the hollow interior of the bone.) It is characterized by the uncontrolled accretion of blood cells, usually white blood cells. The word Luekemia means "white blood", which was derived by luekemia patients' high white blood count. An excessive amount of cells can interfere with other cells which causes a very harmful imbalance of blood count. There are four different categories of luekemia: * Acute Lymphocytic Luekemia (ALL): This type of Luekemia is a rapidly progressing disease that is the most common type of Luekemia for children.

My Journey With Cancer - Part 1

I have always liked traveling, but usually I had some idea of my destination. This journey was to be very different from the rest, with more twists, turns and elements of the unexpected then any of the others. So, to pick a beginning, I will start in January 2002. I was then Assistant Supervisor in the Vitamin section of a busy Pharmacy (Drug Store). I had been promoted to this position after 12 months as a casual employee. It seemed to be taking a while to adjust to this new role, earlier starts, staying to close the store, the commuting back and forth. I kept reaffirming myself "I'll get used to it!

Learn And Live With Cancer - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Cancer. The C-word that changed my life forever! The specific diagnosis was non-Hodgkins lymphoma and the protocol consisted of two and a half years of combination chemotherapy with a month of radiation. After hearing the doctor utter those words, all I could hear thereafter was la la la la la as my jaw dropped. It was a deer in the headlights moment. Cancer? ?! ! No way; I'm twenty-five years old. They're wrong! But they weren't and I had to deal with it. Once I regained control of my articulators I demanded explanations. Why me? How could this happen? What do I do? Am I going to be alright?

Living With Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma And Fighting Depression

When living with non-Hodgkins lymphoma there are many ups and downs, mentally, physically, and spiritually on the road to surviving cancer. Here are a few of the do's and don'ts that I've learned as time went on during and after my non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis. If they helped me become a cancer survivor, intact, beating the odds, why couldn't they help you? So here they are... DO make sure you know and understand what your protocol is about while living with cancer, whether it's non-Hodgkins lymphoma, or any other type of cancer, to help maintain a level of control and reduce depression on your road to becoming a cancer survivor.

Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Marriage, and Children - It Was Meant To Be

Once diagnosed at age twenty-five with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, I was certain my love life would be on the back burner during my two and half year protocol. Living life as a cancer survivor and hoping one day marriage and children may be a part of my future seemed more like a fantasy than a reality. I found myself going out on one or two dates with someone and end what could have been a potential relationship on purpose. What if he found out I was stigmatized with cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and ran for cover? How would I feel? How devastated would I be? Could I handle that kind of rejection based on my medical situation and physical appearance?

Blood Cancer - Causes and Treatment

Blood is a part of the body. Blood has different components sch as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma. The red blood cells (RBC), platelets also called monocytes because it is belong to the "myeloid" group and other white blood cells belong to the "lymphoid" group. Lymphoid cells are affected. Disease progresses quickly. This is most common among children. Blood cancer or Leukemia is actually a group of diseases, each of which impede with the normal functioning of blood cells and progressively weaken the system. Leukemia is classified as either Acute or Chronic. Blood and urine samples may also be tested for various substances, called tumor markers, which may indicate cancer.

Keeping the Faith: Turning to Religion When Diagnosed with Lymphoma

Being diagnosed with a potentially life threatening medical condition, such as lymphoma, can often cause a person to revaluate their life and many find religion in the process. While some return to a lapsed religion, others find faith for the first time and, more often than not, just believing that there is something or someone in charge of their destiny can help them to come to terms with their predicament. The very act of going to a place of worship, be it a church, synagogue, mosque etc. and interacting with others who have faith can give a lymphoma sufferer the positivism and strength to fight their condition.

What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?

AML, (acute myelogenous leukemia), is an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and blood. It is the most common type of leukemia. AML is also known by the following names-acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia or acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Blood cells are malformed and useless. The cells can accumulate in parts of the body. Acute myelogenous leukemia statistics Rare in people under 40 years old More common in men than in women Average age is 65 years old 5-year survival rate o under 65 years old-33% o over 65 years old-4% 2007 it is predicted there will be 13, 000 cases (majority will be adults) The symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia include abnormal blood counts, a general run-down, unwell feeling that never gets better, reoccurring infections, swollen lymph nodes, and bone/ joint pain.

How Strong Are You?

As children many of us thought strength was only measured in physical terms; how many pounds you could lift, how big your muscles were, how successful you were in an arm wrestling match. As we grew older we came to realize that strength was also mental; how to resist peer pressure, how to stay home and study for that exam even though all your friends are out partying. For many of us, our physical strength gets tested more often than the mental so we can't categorically answer, How strong are you? How many of us would be able to go through chemotherapy with a smile? How many of us would handle losing their hair with panache?

I Bet They Play Whiffle Ball Now In Heaven

After the death of my grandfather, a few years passed and I began to hear about a friend of mine who was having quite a health challenge. Juan Chesson was probably the nicest guy you would ever meet. He was a year older than me. I was in several classes with his younger brother, Harold. Their father was a teacher and coached high school football and baseball. Consequently, Juan participated in sports and grew up playing whiffle ball, basketball and football with his brother and friends in their backyard. When he got older, Juan played high school football and baseball. Of course, he received all of the sportsmanship awards.