Is It Leukemia? My Scare, Symptoms, and Tips to Stay Strong
Is It Leukemia? My Scare, Symptoms, and Tips to Stay Strong Is It Leukemia? My Scare, Symptoms, and Tips to Stay Strong In March 2024, at 31, I panicked when I noticed bruises on my legs—10 in a week, without any bumps. I was tired 5 days a week, and a cold lingered for 12 days. Fearing leukemia , I spent $150 on a doctor’s visit and blood tests. My white blood cell count was 12,500/µL (normal: 4,000–11,000), but it wasn’t leukemia—just an infection. That scare taught me about leukemia’s signs and how to stay healthy. Here’s my story, with numbers, tables, and tips to ease your fears and boost wellness. What Is Leukemia? The Basics Leukemia is a blood cancer where abnormal white blood cells multiply, crowding out healthy cells. It affects 60,000 new U.S. patients yearly, per 2023 data. Types include acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). My symptoms—bruising (10 spots), fatigue (5 days...