Listen to Your Body: Lessons from Safyaa’s Experience with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
Safyaa, who is from Madagascar but lives in Canada, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in December 2022. Before her diagnosis, she was a competitive bodybuilder and initially noticed changes in her health after a bodybuilding show in August 2022. She experienced shortness of breath, dizziness, tinnitus, and an increased heart rate during simple activities. She initially dismissed these symptoms as being due to fatigue, but her condition worsened afterward, culminating in a fainting episode around Christmas.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Chris Sanchez
Prompted by her father, Safyaa visited a doctor on Christmas Day, who found out that she had low blood pressure but told her that this was not alarming. Despite the doctor’s initial assessment, a blood test revealed severely low hemoglobin levels (hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood), prompting immediate medical attention. This led to an emergency room visit where she was informed of her acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis. Safyaa was also advised to stay in Canada for treatment due to the urgency of her condition and the lack of adequate healthcare facilities in Madagascar.
Safyaa’s treatment plan started with an induction phase (an initial intensive treatment aimed at quickly reducing the cancer) in the hospital, during which she underwent chemotherapy that lead to remission by February 2023. Just prior to this, she and her team took measures to preserve her fertility. While on this chemotherapy, due to an allergic reaction to one of the medicines, her treatment had to change, increasing the frequency, requiring hospital visits every two days.
Safyaa describes the side effects of her treatment, including hair loss, nausea, mouth sores, dry skin, vision changes, neuropathy, and weight gain. Her treatment has taken a toll on her physical and mental health, making lifestyle changes necessary and sparking introspection. Despite these challenges, Safyaa emphasizes the importance of gratitude, acceptance, and surrendering to realities beyond one’s control without giving up.
Throughout her experience with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Safyaa has continued to work as an online fitness coach, which has helped her stay occupied and mentally stimulated. She shares her experience as a lesson in listening to one’s body and prioritizing health. She urges others to seek medical advice for persistent symptoms.
- Name:
- Safyaa I.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 22
- Diagnosis:
- B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
- Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Extreme fatigue
- Night sweats
- Audible heartbeat in the ears and tinnitus
- Treatment:
- Chemotherapy
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for treatment decisions.
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Safyaa I., B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme fatigue, night sweats, audible heartbeat in the ears and tinnitus
Treatment: Chemotherapy
Anna T., B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-ALL)
Symptoms: Heavy period for a few hours, fatigue, feverish, sweating, bruises on legs
Treatment: ECOG 10403
Christine M., Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Symptoms: Enlarged lymph nodes, pain in abdomen, nausea
Treatments: Chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant
Ciara T., Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Symptoms: Fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, petechiae
Treatments: Chemotherapy, monoclonal antibody