Hello. My name is Kel. I\'m 47 years old and I am fighting leukemia. After being sick for a long time, I was finally properly diagnosed. AML..... Pretty devastating news. But in a weird way, kind of relieved to know what it was.

When I finally was diagnosed, I had had a Grand Mal seizure. And another seizure in the E.R.

After lots of blood work being done, my white blood count was 0.02 and I was sepsis. I felt very close to death. It was surreal. 

Very quickly after my diagnosis, they put in a chemo port. Did bone marrow biopsies, spinal taps and approx 15 blood transfusions, 12 platelet transfusions and some really intense chemotherapy. After about 45 days in the first hospital stay, I was discharged home and referred to City of Hope. After months of vigorous tests, I was given the beautiful gift of a full match bone marrow transplant. But, that too, would be a fight. I needed more chemo and this time, radiation. And just keepin it real, it was brutal. My transplant was on November 15, 2022. It has almost been 6 months since my transplant. And I continue to fight. Everyday.

There\'s been lots of changes with my transplant. New fingernails have grown in and my long beautiful red-hair is no longer.

But, on a positive note, I\'m alive today!!! I\'m up today. It\'s a hell if a journey. But just hang on. We got this!!!!!!

I really just want to help people who are going thru this life changing process. There are so many wonderful people out here. I know it\'s hard, probably one of the hardest fights you\'ll ever endure. But we can get thru it.

I continue to heal each day. Try to force myself to go outside. And just move around because I really didn\'t move much for about 2 years. We can do this though.

Officially in remission for one year this month!

God Bless us all..... We\'re gonna be ok.

I\'m shakey from medications. But feel free to ask any questions...... 

- Kel 

P.S.- I just wanna participate in life again...