My AA Journey

2007, I thought this year will be the start of my new beginning at work. Im earning not a lot but at least could help my family. I'm enjoying my stay at the company I am working to, but then, like most of us know, we don't handle our fate. 2008, by the end of January, things become different. February 1, I was hospitalized. As days passed, series of tests had been made but still they couldn't find anything, what was the reason why my hemoglobin drops.. Then they called a hematologist. They referred me to a known hematologist of the country. I was afraid as they said they're going to do Bone Marrow Aspirates/Biopsy. I kept asking my cousin who is a doctor how painful it is. They keep saying, it wasn't painful at all, but afterwards I found out she told my mom it is indeed painful. The day of the Bone Marrow came and I was really scared. The hematologist was late and came to my room I think past 7 pm already. I told my cousin and my other cousin who is a doctor to stay with me during that operation. I cried to death, I couldn't believe Bone Marrow was so painful. I grabbed the hand of the nurse and told her not to leave me but then she has to help the doctors so she called my other cousin to hold my hand. Then my cousin (doctor) came to the room and told me "You can do it, they're almost done". I stopped crying but then when my mom came to my room crying, i cried again, I cried like a child. My mom told me that my cousin ( doctor ) was crying also because they don't want to see me in pain.
Right after the doctor got the specimens needed, she already told me, I think this is Aplastic Anemia. The specimen looks so pale as in no red in it. Then after a week the result came out, saying I have an Aplastic Anemia...

The doctor gave me medicines and told me, this will be a trial and error treatment. As they have to know what medicines will match in my case. I took steroids and testosterone at first but testosterone didn't help me.. So the doctor changed it to cyclosporin. The medicines are responding but then the worse scenario came. I had pain on my lower back.. I was shouting to death of pain and my parents didn't know what to do. So they rushed to the hospital and I was confined there.. they did some MRI on me and found out that my muscles stucked. The doctor was afraid as they thought it was my bones. I had read that steroids affects bones so they were afraid of the side effect. Then I had series of therapy to be able to walk.. It helped me as I walked slowly. We got out immediately from the hospital once that I felt a bit fine since we are lack financially and can't afford to stay too long to the hospital. At home I had series of therapy also.. I walked but not normally, as I can walked slowly.. But then, since the doctor lessen the steroids and changed my cyclosporin my condition became not too well. I had series of blood transfusion. The doctor needs to eliminate my cyclosporin as im having problem with my creatinine.. My doctor told me I'm too sensitive when it comes to my medications. Right now, At this time Im fat, I gained weight because of the steroids...

During these days, especially when I was starting my treatment, Im losing hope. I thought of ending my life. I cried a lot and my parents keep on telling me not to think that way.. I think I thought of ending my life not only once. I  thought of that because I know we are financially lack and because I know my parents are tired of our situation. But then, now, I think differently. I thought God has given us this, because He loves us more than the others. He loves me and I know he will help us.. Well, with the help of PCSO, I can say now im quite doing fine. They help us with my medications. Still hardly walk but at least Im feeling fine. Early this year im still having series of blood transfusion but to date so far I think couple of months already Im not being transfused. At this time, my hemoglobin is 11.6, happy to have this result. Actually it drops from 12.6 last month. Im happy also that my AA only affects hemoglobin.

Now, Im happy to have survived for 4 years  and counting. I also had 2 Bone Marrow biopsy but  I do believe that one day I will be well, and will do what I used to do. I do believe that one day, I won't be needing my medicines.. That one day I can go out and shop again with my mom. That we will just visit the doctor to monitor my condition and she will just smile at me and say you're doing well, and that one day I can walk well again..

Aplastic Anemia is known to my family as my Grandmother (my mom's mom) died in this disease. I never thought of myself to die at this early. I know God is just in need of my attention so now I always pray to him, to guide me in my battle.. Now I can say Im not losing hope, I will be well one day. Right now, Im just enjoying life, even if im just at home, im trying to enjoy it. Surfing the net helps me a lot not to feel bored. During check ups, me and my dad look like we are just playing.. He pushes my wheelchair and i'll just play along, feels like Im on my car. He calls my wheelchair limousine.
Now I never get tired of going to the doctor as I believe im progressing. Every morning as I wake up, Im thankful that Im alive. Having supportive parents, friends and relatives makes me feel well and strong.

I do hope that this won't scare people who is just starting of having AA.. I hope this will inspire as the first thought of giving up now becomes fighter.

To those who has the same condition as mine, Lets fight this disease. We can all do this.. Thinking positively is really helpful .. stop pitying yourself, just pray and lets fight AA ;)

Last Nov 30 2011

Sometimes I'm really afraid that I don't know what will happen.  Last Nov. 30 2011, i almost fainted inside the bathroom. I really didnt know what to do, luckily I heard Jaboy so i called him and said to call mama. When my mom called, I felt I'm going to faint again. My daddy accompanied me to my bed and I laid. I rested for a while and then decided to go to the hospital.. That day my hemoglobin was only 6.6 that's why I felt a so dizzy but never expected to be like this.  of course upon arrival at the hospital everything was prepared for my transfusion  Right now I'm quite fine I was discharged yesterday afternoon and resting now at home. 
I was glad because of my friends, they supposed to surprise me but they were the one being surprised because I wasn't home and was rushed to the hospital 
to be honest I was frighten because I fainted.I don't know what to do. Hay and because of that nothing left for us... 

What is Aplastic Anemia?

What Is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia (a-PLAS-tik uh-NEE-me-uh) is a blood disorder in which the body's bone marrow doesn't make enough new blood cells. Bone marrow is a sponge-like tissue inside the bones. It makes stem cells that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (PLATE-lets).

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. They also remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from your body's cells and carry it to the lungs to be exhaled. White blood cells help your body fight infections. Platelets are blood cell fragments that stick together to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding.

It's normal for blood cells to die. The lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. White blood cells live less than 1 day. Platelets live about 6 days. As a result, your bone marrow must constantly make new blood cells.

If your bone marrow is unable to make enough new blood cells, a number of health problems can occur. These include arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs), an enlarged heart, heart failure, infections, and bleeding. Severe aplastic anemia can even cause death.

Overview
Aplastic anemia is a type of anemia. The term "anemia" usually refers to a condition in which your blood has a lower than normal number of red blood cells. Anemia also can occur if your red blood cells don't contain enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). This iron-rich protein helps carry oxygen to your body.

In people who have aplastic anemia, the body doesn't make enough red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. This is because the bone marrow's stem cells are damaged. (Aplastic anemia also is sometimes called bone marrow failure.)

A number of diseases, conditions, and factors can cause damage to the stem cells. These causes can be acquired or inherited. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.

In more than half of the people who have aplastic anemia, the cause is unknown.

Outlook
Aplastic anemia is a rare, but serious disorder. In the United States, about 500-1,000 people develop this type of anemia each year. The disorder is two to three times more common in Asian countries.

Aplastic anemia can develop suddenly or slowly. It tends to get worse over time, unless its cause is found and treated. Treatments for aplastic anemia include blood transfusions, blood and marrow stem cell transplants, and medicines.

With prompt and proper care, many people who have aplastic anemia can be successfully treated. Blood and marrow stem cell transplants may offer a cure for some people who have aplastic anemia.

Acquired Causes
A number of diseases, conditions, and factors can cause aplastic anemia, including:

Toxins, such as pesticides, arsenic, and benzene
Radiation and chemotherapy (treatments for cancer)
Medicines, such as chloramphenicol (an antibiotic rarely used in the United States)
Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (si-to-MEG-a-lo-VI-rus), parvovirus B19, and HIV
Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
In some cases, cancer from another part of the body can spread to the bone and cause aplastic anemia.

Inherited Causes
Certain inherited conditions can damage the stem cells and lead to aplastic anemia. Examples include Fanconi anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis congenita, and Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

Who Is At Risk for Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia is a rare, but serious blood disorder. In the United States, about 500–1,000 people develop this type of anemia each year. The disorder is two to three times more common in Asian countries.

People of all ages can get aplastic anemia. However, it's most common in adolescents, young adults, and the elderly. Men and women are equally likely to have it.

Your risk for aplastic anemia is higher if you have:

Been exposed to toxins
Taken certain medicines or had radiation or chemotherapy treatment (treatments for cancer)
Certain infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, or inherited conditions
For more information, see "What Causes Aplastic Anemia?"