Leukemia Treatment Patient Stories

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Mike Fitzpatrick

  • Leukemia
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I talk to other cancer survivors, and I think a lot of people feel like they’re alone when they’re going through this. I tell them, “You’re not alone, there are a lot of us in this battle together.” I should know—I’ve been through it six times.

I thank God for my wife, Anna. We’ve been married 31 years, and she’s my rock. She’s also a respiratory therapist, so she knows a lot more about this medical stuff than I do. A lot of the decisions I’ve made might not have made had it not been for her.

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Neal Kiner

  • Leukemia
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I’m about to turn 84, feel good, and look much younger than my years.

My wife Alice and I have been married 54 years and live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.

A Surprise Diagnosis

In April 2020, a routine blood test showed that my white blood cell count had dropped. At first, my general practitioner thought I had a vitamin B12 deficiency and gave me injections and supplements for a few months. When my counts didn’t improve, I was referred to an oncologist.

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Heather Walters

  • Leukemia
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As 29, Heather Walters was shocked to learn she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL, in July 1998. Healther sought treatment at the Fox Chase Cancer Center-Temple University Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant program, where she underwent chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. After a successful surgery, Healther returned to working full-time as a physician assistant and returned to running. "I feel like my old self again," she said. "I continue to run for exercise, fun, and competition, though I do trail races much more than road races. I enjoy spending any free time outside, including running, hiking, biking, skiing, and even walking with our dogs."

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