Childhood ALL survivor here...

Hello from another childhood ALL survivor!  (right now my major role is as caregiver to my parents so I selected that avatar - Dad has cholangiocarcinoma and my Mom has bone cancer) but I am a survivor too!!!  I think that fact also encourages my parents! 

I was diagnosed when I was 13 and went through about 3 years of chemo including 10 rounds of cranial radiation.  We were fortunate that the doctor that found my cancer was aware of St Jude.  I started there in April of 1985.  I am happy to say that I have been a survivor for 23 years!!

My mom is actually a 25 year survivor - she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983 and had a radical masectomy.  Her bone cancer was found just over a year ago in January of 2007.  Dad's diagnosis happened in February of this year.  I'm on only child, so my immediate family is 3 for 3.  But we are all surviving!!

I would be happy to share any of my experiences with anyone.  It seems like I've been around cancer now for most of my life...

 

Hi, my Son was recently diagnosed with ALL (T-cell).  He's just about done with the Chemo treatment to achieve remission.  I am concerned about the cranial radiation that they'd like to also conduct.  Mostly concerned about the late effects (like memory loss, permanent hair loss, etc.).  Have you experienced any late effects from the radiation treatment?  I'm glad to hear that you're an ALL Survivor!

Ironically I am in the middle of being diagnosed with something that is a result of the Cranial radiation and some of the chemo I took (not sure specific drugs, they said they were "alkalines"). 

Apparently my Hypothalamus was partially damaged - and my Endocrine system has not been functioning as it should.  I was diagnosed about 7 years ago with Hypothyroidism, but apparently there were other things that my GP wasn't looking for that weren't working correctly either.

I see the Endocrinologist again in a few weeks so I'll know more then.

Otherwise, as far as I know, there aren't any other major issues.  My radiation was in 1986, so it's been a few years.  I had 10 or 12 rads (I can't remember for sure).  I do have a few issues with minor short term memory loss - but I made it through high school (5th in my class) and college (made Dean's list a couple of times) so it's not too bad.

If I had a choice to go back and choose whether or not to have radiation, I would still choose to have it.  I'm still here today!!