Bri

It was August before my 6th-grade year when my world changed forever. At just eleven years old, I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia — a battle I never expected to face. In September, everything took a frightening turn. During my first round of chemotherapy, the treatment triggered a dangerous flare of HLH. I was rushed to the PICU with a 106-degree fever and a heart rate over 300. The doctors told my parents to prepare for the worst.

After confirming the diagnosis of Primary HLH, the doctors began steroids, and slowly, I started to fight my way back. There were still mountains to climb — two more rounds of chemo, and finally, a bone marrow transplant.

The holidays passed inside hospital walls. I spent Christmas and New Year’s in isolation, missing my family, especially my little sister. Because she was under 18, she wasn’t allowed into my room. But on Christmas Day, the hospital made a special exception, and she was able to visit. Seeing her walk through that door was the best gift I could have ever received because she gave me the courage to fight.

After months of treatments, endless days hooked to monitors, and moments of uncertainty, the day finally came when I got to ring the bell. On January 21st, I went home. I left those hospital doors not just as a patient, but as a warrior — stronger, braver, and forever grateful for the gift of life.

Bri received treatment at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in STL, Missouri.

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Facebook: Brianne's AML and HLH fight

Instagram: @midwestmysterymachine