Introduction to the Story
For months, college student Breeze Hunter, 22, felt pressure and pain in her head. She had a lot of fluid in her ears, which was causing the headaches. Hunter went to a clinic a few times and they pretty much said it was a sinus infection.
Sinus Infection Diagnosis
After Hunter became too weak to walk to classes, she underwent a blood test. When doctors received the results, they urged her to go to the emergency room immediately. She learned she had acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive blood cancer. “I felt so scared. I kind of blacked out,” she recalls. “I was like, ‘There’s no way she just said that. No way.’”
Initial Reaction to the Diagnosis
The months-long headache and pressure in her nose felt annoying, Hunter thought she simply had a sinus infection she couldn’t kick. When she struggled to walk upstairs or to class at Texas A&M, she became worried. At a follow-up appointment in October 2024, she shared her new symptoms. “I told them that the headaches are still here. I’m very weak and had fatigue,” she says. “They recommended doing a blood test.”
The Journey to the Correct Diagnosis
Hunter loathes needles, yet she finally agreed to undergo the testing after the doctor’s urging. When her results first came back, Hunter didn’t realize how serious they were. The clinic staffer said, ‘Your levels are all over the place and it’s not looking good. (You’re) very anemic,” she says. While they urged her to head to the emergency room, she only heard anemic and thought she could simply pick up iron pills at a pharmacy.
The Turning Point
Hunter tried going to an emergency room close to campus but they were full, so she decided to drive home to League City, Texas. She had Googled her blood results and thought she figured out what was wrong. “I was like, ‘Mom, I think I have leukemia,’” Hunter says. “She’s like, ‘Don’t say that. That’s not what you have.’” When she arrived at the emergency room, they admitted her and ran numerous tests.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
“Acute myeloid leukemia is a type of blood cancer. It is actually one of the most common blood cancers in adults,” Dr. Courtney DiNardo, professor of leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, tells TODAY.com. “It can present quite dramatically with life-threatening infections or bleeding problems or … blood abnormalities.” It’s also common for some patients to have a persistent infection, such as sinus infection, soft tissue infection or even pneumonia.
Treatment and Prognosis
The clinical trial Hunter participated in was targeted to the type of “higher risk leukemia” she had that doesn’t “respond well to standard intensive chemotherapy.” AML isn’t staged like other cancers and high-risk or adverse-risk is the most serious form that has “certain features that make them less likely to go into a remission and less likely to stay in a remission and be cured,” DiNardo says. The Phase II investigation Hunter participated in is aimed at patients who have the same type of acute myeloid leukemia she has with a KMT2A translocation.
Coping with the Diagnosis
While in the hospital, Hunter decided to document her experience. She even created an MTV “Cribs”-type TikTok of her hospital room that went viral. “We did it as a joke and I posted it and it blew up instantly,” she says. People shared their own experiences with AML or different cancers and Hunter met new friends who helped her navigate her experience with cancer.
Support System
After the local news reported on Hunter, she met a young girl, Zoe, who has the same cancer. “She’s 6 years old and she’s had a lot of side effects and problems,” Hunter says. “We’re best friends … she is so young, and she has gone through way more than I have and it keeps me positive.” Having her friends and family’s support as well as a strong faith helps Hunter cope with her diagnosis.
Conclusion
Breeze Hunter’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of taking one’s health seriously. Her experience with acute myeloid leukemia has been challenging, but with the support of her loved ones and a positive attitude, she is navigating her treatment and looking forward to the future. Hunter hopes her story encourages others to prioritize their health and seek medical attention if they experience any unusual symptoms.
FAQs
- Q: What is acute myeloid leukemia?
A: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells of the immune system. - Q: What are the common symptoms of AML?
A: Common symptoms of AML include persistent infections, bleeding problems, and blood abnormalities. - Q: How is AML treated?
A: AML is typically treated with chemotherapy, and in some cases, a stem cell transplant may be necessary. - Q: What is the prognosis for AML?
A: The prognosis for AML varies depending on the individual case, but with treatment, some people are able to achieve remission and be cured. - Q: How can I reduce my risk of developing AML?
A: While there is no guaranteed way to prevent AML, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding exposure to certain chemicals, and seeking medical attention if you experience any unusual symptoms can help reduce your risk.
