When Harley was 22 weeks pregnant, she began experiencing irregular signs that led to her prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia.
After attempting for just a few years to get pregnant, my husband and I lastly had been pregnant with our first baby. Every thing was going as to be anticipated till it wasn’t.
My signs did not begin till nearer to my second trimester. The primary symptom was a bizarre rash on the underside of my shins, however they did not itch or harm. My obstetrician-gynecologist informed me {that a} girl’s physique modifications with being pregnant. Because the weeks progressed, I started to develop new signs. The rash-like spots on my shins became bruises, I used to be sleeping 14 or extra hours a day and I wasn’t protecting any meals down, that was after I tried to eat. Each time I might stand, I felt like I used to be going to go out and I may really feel my coronary heart beating out of my chest. My signs had been getting worse and worse because the weeks went on.
I felt like I used to be dying.
It had lastly gotten to some extent the place my physique may now not take it.
As I used to be strolling down the corridor to the workplace of the college the place I labored, I may really feel myself beginning to go out. I sat myself down and referred to as the secretary from my cellphone and requested if somebody may come get me and that I wasn’t in a position to stroll any additional. Our college useful resource officer (SRO) got here with the wheelchair, whereas one other college assistant was attending to me, and so they each escorted me to the nurse. I used to be combating to remain aware because the nurse was checking my vitals when her subsequent phrases had been “Oh that may’t be proper,” when she learn that my coronary heart price was at 235 beats per minute. The SRO instantly radioed for EMS. They arrived and provided to take me to the emergency room, however I mentioned I needed my husband to. The EMTs needed to attend till my husband was there to select me up however as we waited, I began to lose consciousness.
All I may keep in mind was the EMT saying “Harley, you need to keep awake,” an then, “We won’t wait. We’ve to take her now”.
My husband met us within the ER at Centennial. Whereas we had been ready in a room, a nurse got here in to attract some blood. About half-hour later, the ER physician got here in and informed us that I must be admitted and given blood resulting from my crimson blood cell rely being so low. That very same physician got here again about 20 minutes later to inform us, “One in all our blood specialists took a have a look at your blood work and so they consider you have got leukemia.” Shortly after, that blood specialist got here in with two others and mentioned “We all know you have got leukemia. Now we have to work out which sort. You’ll be admitted into Sarah Cannon Most cancers Middle and tomorrow we’ll carry out a bone marrow biopsy.”
I used to be then admitted to Sarah Cannon Most cancers Middle in Nashville, a biopsy was completed bedside the subsequent day, outcomes had been in 24 hours later after which chemo was began.
I acquired two rounds of chemo whereas pregnant. I gave delivery to my son at 32 weeks, then continued with three extra rounds of chemo.
I’m 2 ½ years in remission and my son will likely be 3 years outdated come December.
This story was written and submitted by Harley Durham. The article displays the views of Durham and never of CURE®. That is additionally not presupposed to be meant as medical recommendation.
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