r/leukemia • • 18h ago

every sniffle feels like a death sentence

25 Upvotes

f28 2 years in remission from AML (runx1, 8;21).

Every time I get sick it’s the same story. I feel like i’m dying again, like i’m relapsing, like it’s all over again. I woke up in sweat this morning and i’ve been crying all morning about it. my team is likely sick of hearing from me, especially since i passed the 2 year mark recently.

I feel like i’ll never feel safe in my own body ever again. even when all tests come back clear, the sense of security has been stripped from me.


r/leukemia • • 12h ago

Has anyone gone back to smoking weed after transplant?

12 Upvotes

Hi, im 21 F! I am comin up 1 year post transplant this Saturday (yay). I was just wondering if anyone went back to smoking weed? At the moment I do take edibles, but I truthfully miss smoking/vaping. The first time i got cancer i smoked throughout treatment but heard SCT are a lot more aggressive than chemo alone, so I refrained and was sober for the first 100 days, then moved on to micro dosing, and now im a somewhat regular gummy user. Gummies are cool but getting expensive and i just overall prefer smoking/vaping, so im wondering if anyone got cleared to do so or if its just best not to.


r/leukemia • • 8h ago

AML transplant while morbidly obese

6 Upvotes

i weigh about 315lbs and my hematologist told me today that my weight is a complicating factor to receiving/recovering from a bone marrow transplant. i have an appointment with an endocrinologist next week to discuss glp-1s. i’ve been on ozempic before and had severe side effects so i stopped taking it and didn’t try any alternatives before my first cancer diagnosis (before AML). i asked my solid tumor team about weight loss medication once i was a couple of months out from finishing treatment and they were unsure. my hematologist however feels it could be helpful.

has anyone had a similar experience? gotten a transplant and recovered while obese? intentionally lost weight for a transplant? been on a glp-1 during leukemia treatment/chemo in general? i’m actively on oral chemo and with my appetite and energy level i’m worried i won’t lose as much weight as i need to, especially if a glp-1 isn’t approved or if im not tolerating it well.

any advice or personal stories would be greatly appreciated.


r/leukemia • • 14h ago

What stuff to get for AML patient in hospital

5 Upvotes

My 36 yo sis is diagnosed with AML and is right now on Aza Ven and medication for a lung infection. She has been hospitalised for more than a week.

I want to get her everything that can take her mind away for some time / make the hospital stay less unbearable.Those little things that we forget

please suggest.

for instance, i realised she needs vaseline for chapped lips.


r/leukemia • • 6h ago

26 and Lost My Dad to AML Just 2 Days After His Diagnosis - Looking for Others Who Understand

2 Upvotes

I’m 26 and lost my dad (56) on December 30, 2025, just two days after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Everything happened so incredibly fast, and I’m hoping to connect with other young adults who lost a parent suddenly to AML or another aggressive cancer.
I’m especially interested in hearing from people who had almost no time to process the diagnosis before losing their parent. I’d really love to talk to others who understand this experience.


r/leukemia • • 13h ago

Things I should know?

2 Upvotes

Hi, everyone. I (23M) was recently diagnosed with CML last week. I went to the hospital for papilledema (swelling in the optic nerves) and was given my diagnosis last Friday. For the most part, I’ve been ok. What I’m recovering from right now is the spinal tap they did to address the papilledema a few days ago. In addition to that I’ve had follow ups, phone calls, numerous labs, and a multitude of other things happen to me in this past week. It’s crazy to me to think that this time last week I was in a classroom teaching and my life would drastically change overnight.

Mentally and emotionally I’ve been ok. It helped that my oncologist told me I wouldn’t have to make drastic lifestyle changes or have any aggressive or invasive treatments. What nobody prepared me for is the constant poking a prodding. Not just talking about labs, but the barrages of checks ins from friends and family. Not that I’m not grateful for them. Every time I find myself getting upset, I chide myself and remind myself how blessed I am to have the support system I have. But sometimes it gets overwhelming if I’m being honest. I guess I foolishly expected life to not change as much but how could it not when I received a diagnosis like this? Also, part of me feels if I didn’t have the spinal tap, I’d feel a lot better. I know it was necessary, but recovery has been the worst. All I’ve wanted to do these last few days is sleep and be left alone.

Anyways, I have to start desatinib soon and wanted to know what life on that medication would look like. Like, what are some side effects you all have experienced and what did your mental and emotional states look like while batting CML? What are some things I should keep in mind? Anything helps!

TL;DR: I (23M) was recently diagnosed. What are some things I should be aware of or keep in mind as I start this journey of battling CML?