Brandon's Leukemia Story

by Samantha
(California)

Brandon was always a fighter. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on him. We were best friends but I knew something was wrong with him a few months after he turned 12.

He hugged me everyday and when I first started knowing something was up he hugged m e one day and a lot of heat was coming off of him.It scared me but he was always like "I'm fine Sam don't worry about me." I couldn't help it. I did worry and I had a reason to.

Then unexplained bruises started coming up on him. Since we were both on the football team he classified them as that. But around his eyes looked bruised as well and I knew he had to go to the doctor.

Brandon was taken to the hospital by his dad and step mom for blood work some days later. The tests came back a few days later showing Brandon had acute lymphocytic leukemia.

So he was admitted to the hospital and immediately began chemo treatments. He got only one infection while in the hospital that caused him to be put in ICU. After 3 months of fighting for his life he reached remission.

Today Brandon is a healthy 14 year old living his life to the fullest. So far he has had one relapse and another infection but has beaten them both. I still wonder sometimes when he tells me he's feeling okay if he's telling the truth. I know Brandon is tough, sturdy and triumphant.