My name is Aurora. On February 17 2007 I was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia. A Week later I had my first surgery, a bone marrow biopsy. On Easter of that year I got had my third surgery, to have my port put in. The next day I received my first course of treatment Rabbit ATG. After six months with no change my doctor, Dr. Steele, decided that it would be best if they started my second treatment. So in September I received my second round of treatment, Horse ATG. Another six months later and Dr, Steele decided to move forward towards a BMT. On September 2 I had my 8 surgery, I got my broviac put in. On September 17 2008 I was admitted to the Alberta Children's hospital. On September 18 I received my first dose of chemo. On September 19 I received my first dose of chemo and Horse ATG. On September 22 I received my first dose of Radiation. On September 23 2008 I was given a new life. A better life. A year and 2 months later I am healthy. I have returned back to school. It seems so long ago, that I was diagnosed, but its not. I was transfusion dependent for more than a year, and I had almost no immune system for about 1 year eight months. I could not go to school, nor could I go out to Wal-mart, the Mall, or the corner store without having to wear one of those reched masks. And yet through all this I still have a happy story to tell. Why am I telling you all this, because I've seen others struggle, with no idea what lies ahead. These people are sometimes provided with false hope. People think I'm a joke, they think I'm different, but I'm not. My life is forever changed. I can not escape it. I can not forget it. I'm hoping others will benefit from my story. That others will see that I am not afraid and neither should they. Many peple feel sorry for me, leaving my childhood so early at the age of only 10, but now I really enjoy people feeling bad for me, it gives me a chance to explain, to tell them, Don't feel bad for me, because I feel bad for you, I got to slow down, really see life for what it is, you didn't, so now who do you feel bad for? Me or yourself?
