I was in your shoes exactly 9 years ago when I was diagnosed with AML. I didn’t know whether I would survive it, my first induction chemo was only partially successful, and the list goes on and on. Not knowing anything for sure was the most challenging thing for me. I had to accept the ambiguity and figure out where to find my strength to go on.

For me, my faith in God played an important part: I prayed and told God about everything, including the things I didn’t want to burden my family with. Somebody gave me a short book 50 Days of Hope by Lynn EiB, a cancer survivor herself. I also met a young college girl 4 months ago my diagnosis who had AML 5 years earlier. All that gave me hope.

I also set goals: live to meet my first grandchild, who was born half a year after my diagnosis. Then it was to live to Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year. Then it was a goal to join the gym, start driving again, get a job. I was slowly able to regain my life.

For now, start with small things that give you joy and make you smile. There will be setbacks and know that all of us AML survivors have experienced them too. You are not alone!

Hugs!