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How it all started... |
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Written by James Ilari
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Tuesday, 17 February 2009 12:47 |
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 My name is James Ilari. I grew up in Vaughan, Ontario and I am 24 years old... On January 21, 2009 I was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. As far as symptoms go, looking back I probably had them for a year or so, but they have progressively gotten worse over time. I was always tired, stressed, didn't get much sleep. But these things were normal to me. I was tired because I was stressed and stressed because I was always on the go. I would go out with friends and family often, my job was also my hobby so I dedicated a lot of my time to it... I went back to college for some extra courses I was interested in, and I just never thought to slow down. I'm a young guy... to me being tired meant I needed more sleep... and the naive side in me always thought "I'm 24 and a little out of shape... no big deal"...
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The diagnosis... |
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Written by James Ilari
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Tuesday, 17 February 2009 22:23 |
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    That morning I waited for the specialist to arrive. My girlfriend was on her way up from London and my family was on their way to the hospital. I felt bad for my sister, she wouldn't leave my side the entire night and she was exhausted. The specialist came early that day, but I could tell when he walked in he had no idea what was going on with me. He explained the situation with my blood levels and checked my body for any sign of bruising or rash. He was very brief and immediately referred me to the on staff hematologist. That afternoon the hematologist came to speak with me. Again we reviewed my cell counts, and she ordered for an ultrasound of my abdomen and a bone marrow biopsy to be performed. "BONE MARROW BIOPSY!"...
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My first visit to Princess Margaret Hospital... |
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Written by James Ilari
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Sunday, 01 March 2009 15:29 |
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    I arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) that Monday after being diagnosed. I was to see the leukemia doctor in the hematology clinic as treatment for leukemia and aplastic anemia are fairly similar. I checked in and received my blue hospital card. Within the hour I was called into the exam room. The doctor was holding the report submitted by the hematologist that had previously diagnosed me. He explained their findings, but was not totally convinced with my diagnosis.Â
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Written by James Ilari
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Monday, 23 March 2009 15:37 |
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    The night I got a fever was definitely a night I'll never forget. After being diagnosed, I was told to go straight to emergency if I ever sparked a fever above 38.5°C. Due to my neutrophils being so low, I am unable to fight infection and thus very susceptible to illness. If I were to get sick, it can get really bad, really fast.Â
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Immunosuppressive Therapy Treatment... |
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Written by James Ilari
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Thursday, 14 May 2009 13:47 |
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     It's been a couple of months since my two week stay at Princess Margaret Hospital... I underwent immunosuppressive therapy treatment and now more than two months later it seems to be working. It is still unconfirmed by the doctors, but my counts are now rising on all levels and I have seen quite an increase in my energy level as well. Below is my account of what happened during my immunosuppressive therapy treatment... I hope it will help others who will undergo the same treatment, but please keep in mind that although many of the side effects are common, everyone reacts differently to various medications.
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