As I’m writing this, I’m receiving a blood transfusion and will soon be getting platelets. It’s been a very difficult few weeks since being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
AML is a type of leukemia that most often affects older adults. However, after years of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, my bone marrow is no longer able to make the blood cells and platelets my body needs. That’s why I require transfusions like the ones I’m receiving today.
The outlook is not great. Because I also have stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer, I am not a candidate for a stem cell transplant or bone marrow transplant. The stronger chemotherapy typically used to treat AML is not an option for me. Instead, I began a different treatment this week that I will remain on indefinitely. My treatment consists of seven days of chemotherapy injections followed by twenty-one days off, along with four chemotherapy pills every day.
Another challenge is that treating the leukemia means I cannot currently receive treatment for my triple-negative breast cancer. Thankfully, my scans remain stable right now. However, my blood counts continue to stay very low, and I often need blood and platelet transfusions, like I do today.
I would deeply appreciate your prayers. I am trusting in the Lord, and He is sustaining me through this. Even with that faith, there are still moments when it feels scary.
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support.
—Melissa
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