Quotes from Our Members (and Others)
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My Fight For Life
By Justin Arneson
Some say a fight is a
messy thing,
Sometimes you lose and
sometimes you win.
You're given a challege,
sort of a test,
And pray everyday it
will work out for the best.
The fight I speak of
does not involve fists,
Instead it involves your
heart, mind and wits.
It's easier to fight
against something you see,
But the fight that I
fight is as hard as can be.
I fight for my life, my
very being, my soul,
It's an illness inside
me that I can not control.
I believe I'll get
better and one day be well,
Then the fight would be
over and that would be swell.
So because I have so
much living to do,
It doesn't really matter
what I have to go through.
I'll fight the fight
that's required of me,
And I'll win back my
life, you just wait and see.
Written when he was 12 years old - Diagnosed in 1998
Contributed by his Mother in 2005 - Justin is in
Remission |
| "When I was in the hospital at a stage when the odds
were not well weighted in my favor, I developed a sort of philosophy of
life. Life (to me) is like a country road. I may live a long life, or I
may have a shorter one, but the length of my road is not important. The
value of life is not measured in its length, and a road is not meant to be
any longer or shorter than it is. It is just meant to take me from the
beginning to the end of my journey, and if it gets me where I want to be,
it is priceless.
I used to live my life with the windows rolled up and the radio
blaring, tuning out life as I drove along. But I was lucky enough to get
that little nudge from God that makes me roll down the windows and look at
the incredible beauty that life is. Getting AA did that for me."
Mindy
Pember |
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"When I get to thinking about my problems, I take a
look around me and realize how insignificant my problems are when compared to
others." Ted Griffith
- a world class friend and survivor of a quadruple bypass
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"I believe surviving this disease is one part medicine, one part
support from friends and family, and one part attitude. It took a year and
a half for my diagnosis of AA. I was in the Air Force at the time. It
wasn’t until the monster was named that I started doing better. I also
had another thing going for me. A doctor told me a story about a patient
he knew who had AA. This was before advanced treatments like those
available to us. He said she was supported with transfusions for ten
years, afterwhich, she suddenly “recovered.” No one could explain why.
My goal became the survive for ten years in hopes of a spontaneous
recovery of my own. Although I have had ATG three times, seventeen years
later from the date of my diagnosis, I have essentially recovered." Barb
Purvis |
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"I went back to work and school right away and I am about to
graduate with my Industrial Engineering degre. Whoever reads this knows
that there might not be a cure but 90% of the battle can be won mentally.
My doctor said I was as a severe case as anyone has probably seen since my
counts were very severe but here I am. Don't give up, I know how hard it
can be at times but you can do it like I have." Leyla |
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"This disease has been a gift, one that gives itself to me every
day in the form of a spiritual reminder of what is important. I have had
far more healthy days than sick and for that I am grateful. Lucky for me,
this challenge has solidified the bond between my husband and me. He is
completely supportive, helpful and knows when to leave me alone. I grab up
every moment that comes my way - I do what I want, when I want, when I can
- though my doctor shakes his head at me. But this is my secret weapon
against the monster - I absolutely refuse to let it control me. Don't get
me wrong, it's not always warm and fuzzy - but living a life that
celebrates joy, humor and laughter works for me - and it's more fun! My
very best to you - stay strong and focused." Andrea |
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"I will be forever grateful to the man who gave me my second
chance, and donated his marrow. For all of you in the fight, never lose
hope always look for some good even if it seems so small. So many people
helped me along the way, it's web sites like this that make a difference
and connect us all together, my prayers are with all of you and your
families. Here is one of my favorite qoutes: " If you can learn to
laugh in spite of your circumstances that surround you, you will enrich
others, enrich yourself, and more than that, you will last." Melanie |
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"Thank you for listening I have needed to get all of this out and
talk to people who really do understand this disease. I look forward to
hearing from you." Love, Tamra
Powers |
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"Being relatively healthy most of my life, this was a great shock,
physically as well as mentally and still is. At this time my levels are up
to a degree called remission, but I never go a day or a few hours without
wondering what they will be when I have my next blood test. I still have
aches and pains and still feel tired with not much effort. I have heard
many theories about the cause of AA, so, I have decided to put together a
list of things that I could think of in the year before I was diagnosed
that I suspect could have caused it. Possibly others will do the same and
maybe we can come to possibly something in common." Marion |
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"I have not had a platelet transfusion since 6/29/01. White count
is stable (4.7), with a great ANC (1700), and I am starting to make some
red cells again (pretty high retic count). I think I have responded well
to this course of treatment, but I am just taking it one day at a time! I
am thankful to have found such a great website, to talk to others battling
this rare nightmare. To everyone out there, keep up hope, and live every
day to its fullest!" Amy |
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"Good luck to everyone battling this disease. One thing I've found
during my recovery is that exercising is very important. It's very
rewarding to see your efforts result in positive gains to your
health." John |
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"Forgive me if I got carried away, I have been staying 24-7 with
my daughter at the hospital and am a beginner on the computer. I am not
sure I was to write all this here, but thankyou for giving me somewhere
where the people really seem to care!" Amber |
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"I may sound upbeat about life and the path that God has laid
before me. But I do have those periods of depression. There is not a
day/hour that goes by without thinking about my condition and thinking
about the what ifs. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and
perhaps my successes and achievements. God bless." James |
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"I am still on those "SKUNK" pills. Boy do they stink!
Magneseium and some sulfa thing to keep me from getting inside ifections.
I am getting off of my pills. I started with 12 of those smelly things and
I hope at tomorrows labs I get to get off of another one. I only have to
go have my labs once every other week now instaed of every week and I only
have to go to Primary Childrens every other month. WEEHAW! We do not know
if this is going to work forsure. I might still need a transplant. If that
is what I need to do then I guess I will because I just want to be fixed.
I have Juvenile Diabetes also. I have had it since I was 1years old. They
say I have a bad immune system because it is an immune system disease
also. I just want to get past this! So I just keep taking my pills. If
there are kids out there my age who want to talk, email me and I will
write you back. I think it would be good to have someone who knew what I
was going through." Thanks, Jenna |
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"I hear all these stories and I see a lot of people are upbeat and
optimistic. I would love to be that way. I've learned to take one day at a
time and try to live it to the fullest. I look at my children every night
and I thank God for them. They are truly miracles. I hope in the future
that I can survive this disease to be there for my children and maybe even
have another one. I've had this disease 11 years now. On one hand I say
hey, I made it 11 years! On the other hand, Why have I had to live with
this fear for 11 years? Day to Day I think about this I think about that I
wonder about the what if's I wonder about the what not's I forget on a
good day I remember the next day. Bridget |
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"I will never know the blood donors who donated blood for me, but
want to tell the blood donors that I do meet, how much their selfless
contribution of themselves means to me. I wouldn't be here today, if it
weren't for the people who took the time to donate blood. I am sincerely
grateful to those who gave of themselves, so that I could live." Cindy |
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". I lead a very normal life, I have no problem keeping up with my
active little boys. Most people are very surprised when they learn of my
serious illness. They usually say, "But you look so healthy". I
feel good, my energy level is pretty good. Im very thankful for my life,
that Im here and beating AA. AA has taught me many important lessons in
life. It forced me to look at life in a much different way, ultimateley
these lessons have had a huge impact on the person I've become. Sometimes
negative things can have positive outcomes. Don't believe everything you
read about AA, many, many people live with this disease, or better yet,
beat it. It can be done"! Mechelle |
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"I have been transfusion free for 45 days and have seen steady
improvement in my counts (especially platelets - now 60) since returning
home from Seattle. Therefore, I believe that I have been cured of my
aplastic anemia. Our prayers for healing return to prayers of
thanksgiving. Please feel free to call us to celebrate, to ask questions,
or just to keep in touch." Craig |
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"I truely thank people like you for supporting those of us in the
same or simular situations. It has really helped me to read all of these
stories. It has created more questions too. Thank you for your time."
Sincerely, Nena
(Annie and Nick's Mom) |
