Meet: Antonio, In Reconciliation Treatment, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

"Hi! I am Antonio, I am 10 years old, I love karate and I am a Lego lover. I am at the last weeks of my treatment. I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia).

When I was 8 years old, my parents noticed that my skin was pale. My mom made an appointment with my pediatrician, and she insisted on taking a blood test. The next day my pediatrician sent me to Children's Hospital at Montefiore. The oncologist told us we needed to stay at the hospital for a Bone Marrow test.

The oncologist told us that I possibly had leukemia, so we were waiting for the results of the bone marrow aspiration and the spinal fluid. On August 29, 2018, the doctors pulled my mom out of my room and called my dad because he was on a business trip to confirm that I have Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. I began chemotherapy right away as an inpatient. The treatment lasted for two years.   I was very scared; I did not know what Leukemia means.  With the help of my parents and my Child Life Specialist Katy, I could understand what was going on with my blood. I stayed in the hospital for the next 2 weeks. I underwent a surgery to give me a Port, that would assist with frequent blood transfusions, and chemotherapy.

At the end of October 2018, I went back to school, it was a little painful, but the school helped me to distract my mind from the pain and helped me to socialize with my friends.  My parents always encouraged me to be part of many activities so that I kept my mind busy and I will have wonderful memories in that process beside dealing with my treatment.

I am very thankful that I always surround myself with professional doctors and especially Megan, she is the best, also my family and friends."