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Name: Katie Graham Age: 18
Location (City, State/Province): Brockville, Ontario
Type of Cancer: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Cancer. The dreaded word that no one ever wants to hear. On March 23, 2000, I was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) for some tests because I had had extensive back pain for 3 months, my family physician didn’t know the cause, and a MRI showed abnormalities in the spinal area. After what seemed like endless tests, I was given a bone marrow aspiration and awoke from the anaesthesia to have a strange doctor inform me that I had leukemia. My life as I knew it would be forever changed from that day on as I began an intense 2-_ year treatment protocol.

Being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) wasn’t enough, I was also admitted with other complications. Leukemiais a type of cancer found in the bone marrow and the abnormal cancerous cells in my body caused two of my spinal vertebrae to collapse, the bones in my right hip had started to deteriorate and I had developed osteoporosis. Though in pain, I had walked into the hospital only to be told that I must be bedridden and in a wheelchair for two months. Even after I no longer needed a wheelchair, it still meant travelling on crutches for approximately six weeks and physiotherapy regain my strength. Knowing you have the ability to do something as simple as walking, and not being able to physically do it is one of the most frustrating things imaginable.

The series of intense treatments that I had to endure would prove to be a difficult task. I was placed on a standard, high risk, protocol which meant after one month of induction I would have three to five day admissions for chemotherapy, every two to three weeks (barring any complications), for eight months. On the weeks I was not admitted, there would be blood work, oral medications and check-ups. Unfortunately, there were complications such as extra admissions and treatment delays due to fevers and low blood counts, and a life-threatening allergic reaction that placed me in Intensive Care overnight. After the admissions phase ended, it meant weekly check-ups, blood work and an injection of chemotherapy for the remainder of my treatment. All throughout I tried to remain strong and keep a positive outlook no matter how discouraging things got.

Although cancer is something many people dread, if I could go back in time I would not change a thing. Being sick has allowed me to open up to others and I have discovered a lot about who I am, both positive and negative. I have also had the oppourtunity to meet and become close to countless people I would not have met otherwise. Tragically, some of those incredible people are no longer with us and dealing with their deaths has been emotionally draining, but someday I will be stronger as a result of that and everything they have taught me. The roller coaster I have been forced to ride for the last 3 _ years has been demanding both physically and emotionally but as it comes to an end I’ve realized that every minute has been worthwhile.