Cancer

Hi, my name is Anna. I was posting a video in regard to your video on personal experiences. I'm Anna. I had CML, chronic myeloid leukemia, back in 1988. I'm 4 foot 5 inches as a result of total body radiation and I had a half match bone marrow transplant from my dad and I've been looking for support but haven't found any until my brother-in-law Rufus found this app for me and thank you for sharing your story. I can't believe you survived four times. I'm still angry about the once 30 plus years ago but anyway I want to encourage you to be my encourager because you already are. Thank you so much. Anna Hartzell.

When I was 20 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare cancer, aplastic anemia, and it was three in a million for people at my age at the age of 20. So one thing I want to tell you is it wasn't easy, but it was something that I appreciated it and I was grateful for because I learned so much coming through and going through the process that I want you to know that keep your faith, stay strong, have a great support system because they're the ones that you're going to rely on the most to help you during this this time. But know that you're not alone. There are other people out there. Don't be afraid to reach out and just build a support group and the best possible thing that you can do during a time like this is stay as positive as much as you can because you know what, you're unique, you're an individual, and you are valued, and you'll make it through.

So just a quick preface, I've had cancer a total of four times and I've had two different transplants dealing with my bone marrow. And I'm going to talk real quick about the second transplant I had. They gave me what's known as heavy chemo, which is basically the nastiest of the nastiest chemos they can give you. It's difficult, it makes you really, really sick. And because of that, you can't eat, you have a hard time sleeping, and your body kind of loses control of itself. And I remember there was one specific day that I actually wanted to die. I remember this day distinctly. But it kept holding on. If you ever have the opportunity to hold on, for any reason, always hold on.