I am 22 years old, and I had just given birth a month before when I started experiencing flu-like symptoms for about a week. Nothing was helping me, and I eventually noticed a small lump on my neck. I then decided to go to the ER after dealing with constant pain in my head, neck, shoulder, and collarbone. When the blood work they had done showed signs of leukemia, the doctor at the ER sent me to another doctor to get an official diagnosis. The oncologist confirmed that I had leukemia, and I immediately started chemotherapy. I was too in shock after being diagnosed to react, but my reality really hit me when I had to shave my hair off and started seeing my face swell up from medication. I started to see myself and realized this is really real. After chemotherapy, I started immunotherapy, and I was able to reach complete remission. I am currently off immunotherapy and have started chemo again to keep me in remission. I’m so close to reaching the last part of my treatment plan, but I will still have to continue with chemo pills for two years.
Shantie’s LifeList:
- A family trip to Hawaii or Disney World