Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive blood and bone marrow cancer affecting white blood cells. It causes immature blast cells to reproduce excessively, crowding out mature, healthy bone marrow cells. This crowding leads to a deficiency in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Symptoms of ALL may include enlarged lymph nodes, bone pain, fatigue, and loss of appetite and weight. ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer, with 200,000 diagnoses in the US per year, but it can occur at any age. There are no known genetic risk factors for ALL, but other genetic diseases, significant radiation exposure, and being under the age of 15 increase the likelihood of developing the condition. Treatments for ALL include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and bone marrow transplants.
Sana's Diagnosis and Initial Struggles
Sana, a sophomore studying political science, noticed increasing lethargy and rapid weight loss during the summer and September. After initially dismissing these symptoms as stress or burnout, she developed groin pain, which her doctor attributed to a muscle pull. When the pain spread, Sana suspected something more severe. As an undocumented immigrant without health insurance, she sought help from the school nurse, who suggested she might be anemic. After 50 long days of testing, Sana was diagnosed with ALL on October 7, 2010, during a student conference. She was rushed to the hospital with an 87% blast cell concentration, while the expected amount is less than 5%.
The Harrowing Treatment Journey
Sana's treatment involved three years of intensive chemotherapy and
bone marrow biopsies. She faced severe side effects, including
constant sickness and weight gain from prednisone, a steroid
treatment. "The treatment was so painful, I don't wish that
treatment upon my worst enemy," Sana recalls. The weight gain led to
knee collapse, necessitating knee replacements.
Returning home brought additional trauma and fear, with worries
about the continuity of her treatment due to her undocumented
status. One hospital sued her for $100,000, forcing her to declare
medical bankruptcy. Additionally, her younger brother was diagnosed
with autism the same month. Sana's parents, lacking an understanding
of both leukemia and autism, grappled with guilt and blame.
Fighting for Her Future
Sana took a year off from college and had to fiercely advocate for
her return, despite doctors warning of a "50-50 chance of dying" if
she went back. Nevertheless, returning to college was one of her
best decisions. She navigated the challenges of being in school
while undergoing treatment, wearing a wig to cover hair loss from
chemotherapy.
Her experience profoundly changed her perspective on life and
career. After completing her political science degree, she felt too
exhausted for law school and uncertain about her future due to her
undocumented status. She took a year to explore various temporary
jobs, eventually working as an assistant at a business firm.
Sana obtained a work permit through DACA, and her world opened up. A
job as an assistant at Sloan Kettering exposed her to patients with
stage 4 colon cancer, helping her find gratitude and perspective. A
nurse colleague suggested she pursue nursing, leading her to take an
Anatomy and Physiology class. After earning an A+, she continued her
education and earned her nursing degree. Now, she is in NP school to
further her education.
A New Outlook on Life
Sana's outlook on life has transformed. She once felt anger and frustration but learned to rely on her inner strength. Today, she is happily married and continues to live a better life each day. Her advice to others facing similar struggles is to take it day by day, gaining strength with each passing day. "One day, you'll look back and be very surprised that you got through this struggle," she says.
Sources
https://www.lls.org/facts-and-statistics/facts-and-statistics-overview