On June 13th 2005 just 4 days after my 17th birthday I was at the doctors because I felt like I had a horrible case of the flu. Before he even examined me, he knew that I didn't have the flu just by pulling down my eyelids (pure white--no counts whatsoever) and I needed to get to the hospital asap! While I was standing at the front desk waiting for the nurse to write me a prescription to take to the hospital, I blacked out and next thing I knew I was laying on the floor with everyone asking if I was ok with the sounds of the fire truck and ambulance screaming down the road. After my ride to the hospital I remember lying in the ER hooked up to an IV and waiting on the arrival of my mom. The doctor took a bunch of tests and finally around 8pm he told me I was going to be staying the night in the hospital and that the only rooms they had available were on the Cancer floor in the Children's hospital. At the time, I didn't think anything of that, but, my mom knew something she wasn't telling me. The doctor had already told her he thought I had Leukemia and I needed to be on that particular floor. Once we arrived on the Cancer floor I met my nurse and she got me settled in. That night I barely had any sleep and was up early that morning, just in time to meet my Oncologists. I will never forget the first thing he said to me, "So how does it feel to have Leukemia". I was shocked by what I had just heard and burst into tears because I thought this was it. My mom was so mad at him for telling me because she was waiting for the right time. But a long talk with my mom, I felt better about the situation and was ready to start the fight of my life. My longest stay in the hospital was about 3 weeks long and I received chemo about 3 to 5 times a week. I had my ups and downs during treatment. A major scare I had was about 1 ½ yrs into treatment…I was in the hospital for 2 days receiving a 24 hr chemo treatment that unfortunately I had an adverse bad reaction to after I got home. Everyone thought I had a stroke because I could not move my left side nor speak. The doctors said it was going to take months for me to get my speech back. But that didn’t last…one night I was laying in the hospital bed and my mom had given me a mini whiteboard to write notes on. I remember the first thing I wrote, "this is annoying". She knew after reading that that I was going to be just fine! I blew the doctors away because I was speaking and walking again only 2 weeks after having that unforgettable reaction. The rest of my treatment was tough because it felt like I was learning how to speak and walk all over again.

My last chemo treatment was on September 27th 2007 and that is a day I will never forget! Now it's 3 years later and my body is finally strong enough for me to get it into awesome shape. I started working out to “Active”, a program you use with the Wii system. A great workout, but I just was not seeing the results I wanted. I had heard of “Beachbody” and products like “P90X” and “Insanity” but I never thought that I could do them until I starting reading results my friends were having… maybe I can really do this. I started “P90X” on September 30th and it is intense, but I love it!! Today is day 43 and I am seeing drastic results, which is awesome! I have more days 47 ‘till I complete “P90X” and I can't wait to see how my body looks and feels at that time. I recommend this program to anyone looking for a chalenge and to transform themselves!!

Big bear to you honey! What a fantastic attitude you have with all you have been through. I admire your courage and strength. Your going to be a wonderful asset to this forum. Keep that wonderful mind-set you have going for you . Hugs to you and thank you for sharing your story. Your very inspirational and your story will encourage many in this forum! Hugs~Kate

Congrats to you man. 43 days in is way past what most people do Keep up the good work and I hope you achieve all your goals.