How Cancer Saved My Life: A Patient’s Journey with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Meet Melissa Ruffino, teacher, sister, daughter, and survivor of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. When she was diagnosed at the age of 32, she immediately moved from Austin to Dallas to begin treatment at UT Southwestern's Bone Marrow Transplant Program. After two rounds of chemotherapy, she underwent a bone marrow transplant that has now given her more than one-thousand days of life. For information about becoming a donor, visit bethematch.org.

[@ideaquest]

“Live life like you are dying” is not just a slogan. It’s a constant reminder of the truth.

[@FMJonno]

I know this video is 5 years old, but it's relevant to my current situation. September 20th 2023 I was diagnosed with AML. The news was devastating to me, totally unexpected. I had intense chemotherapy and spent a total of 33 days in hospital. When I was discharged I was confident the chemo had worked and the next step was a stem cell transplant and I could carry on with my life. A couple of weeks later at a consultation, it turned out that the chemo had only killed off 20%. I'm now having mild chemo injections to keep it at bay. The problem I'm battling now is, how to live my life to the fullest and have more positive days than negative ones. It's proving very difficult at the moment. xx

[@markalpasan8096]

Praying for emman 🙏😢

[@ren_ren2647]

REST IN PEACE EMMAN😢😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@markalpasan8096]

im from future, it's too late

[@irmafletcher2249]

It's both a physical and emotional fight. I almost died a number of times but almost lost my mind way more. The stories other survivors told me weren't too far off what I remember of my own battles. And of course eternal gratitude to my better half, my donor and the tireless medical professionals!

[@manidiorr674]

I never knew I needed to see this story until today. My mother passed away late August & a week and a half later I was diagnosed with acute myeloid Lukemia. I wasn’t able to say my last final goodbye to my mom & I was snatched away from my family instantly going into isolation. I’m only 22 years old and it’s extremely hard. Not being able to have family and friends come and support you as much as you want hurts but you have to understand that everyone has a life and works. I am a current patient at Baptist Downtown Florida and it is claimed to be one of the best oncology facilities in Florida. So, it gave me some relief to know I’m in the best of care… I’m currently close to the end of remission and I hope to go home soon. So thank you Melissa for giving me something to look forward to. ❤

[@razan8243]

I hope you are ok, you can beat it ❤

[@gerardocenteno3424]

This is hard for me to write. My wife has leukemia acute and she fighting right now in the hospital. First the hospital treatment her for infections due to a fever for a week. Today she began the quemo treatment. She was terrified with the treatment. I’m the only one that can go to visit. Her mother is a survivor of intestinal cancer and this affect her too. I feel alone in this cancer fight. I have no friends and the families for both side they no helping much. No much empathy. But the warrior is her. Everyday she is scared to die and I try my best to lift her spirit up. Never have children, always we have a time, I remember the two of us say that! And now never gonna have our own children’s. If she die, I’m alone in this world. I gonna lose my best friend and my everything. I know her for almost 20 years. I gonna keep fighting no matter what. I need too. I’m write this for not become crazy in our home.

[@laerik0520]

Praying for you and your wife.

[@allandubon]

How is your wife doing now?

[@gerardocenteno3424]

For now she is in home. Some days with depression and others sad and crying all the time. I work with her all the time. Right now I’m jobless and all my time is for her. We go together to her appointment with the Oncology. God is good to us so that is super good!! She still with cancer and take chemo pills in home and every month go to the clinic to extract a piece of the bone marrow to check the cancer. Wait for one day the test of bone marrow come clean and go into remission and bone marrow transplant.

[@judithokwiri2541]

@@gerardocenteno3424 take heart ,it shall be well,Our God is final in everything we go thru in this world ,you aren't alone ,we're with you in spirit as we continue with our prayers,

[@alphardestur5784]

@@gerardocenteno3424 I'm praying for you and your wife brother.

[@themythicbeast3400]

I hope my friend survives from this evil cancer

[@kozumelubs1574]

Hello I have some of the symptoms

[@kristinmcdow4056]

I got diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia also and im also fighting for my life

[@hannamaria7042]

I am praying for you! How are you now?

[@hiraamjad2492]

Get well soon

[@rythm7206]

Hang in there mate my prayers are with you

[@tunim4354]

You will get better. God bless you.

[@jays9781]

I have same cancer doctor told me today I have only 6 months left how u feeling

[@sabasiddiqui429]

It's really important for all cancer survivors out there to share their journey. It's just makes it easier for people like me who are recently diagnosed.

[@mokhalilullah4654]

Assalamualykum sister. I hope you are doing well. I don't know where you are located. However, if you are in the US go to, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. They are the best cancer hospital in the world.

[@brandon7657]

Hi Melissa! I say write the book. You’re video is extremely motivational and I have felt it all as well. Diagnosed with ALL on 8/8/20. We are both positive and happy people! I get to go home tomorrow. It’s a journey. God, family, friends and all of the doctors and nurses have been incredible! We’re survivors and life is precious!

[@reahalcantara8638]

my sister now is suffering for her acute Myeloid leukemia.just 1 month was July 2021 when she diagnosed.i hope she can survive with her leukemia. we are poor and we cant afford the chemo and bone marrow transplant. She is just taking a Sante barley powder organic supplement from new Zealand that's the only way we can afford and the blood transfusion once she needed.please pray for my sister for her recovery.

[@mikym2096]

Where did you bought it and how much?

[@EdgarGadcia-nm3py]

Did she survive pls tell me she did😔

[@alishiagabrielle828]

Pray for Emman legend!!! 💪🏻☝️♥️

[@miguelaquino3119]

Yeah mas maganda sa America sya mag pagaling kagaya nya

[@rowenaobieta5160]

I am very happy to know that your journey with cancer is successful. you are lucky you have money and the right medical team. god bless.

[@JodiW]

An inspiring journey❤️

[@cmmosher8035]

Before being diagnosed i had shoulder length hair. When it started coming out real bad my younger brother came to the hospital and helped my shave my head. It was both one of the psychologically hardest parts of of the process and a nice bonding moment with him.

[@strange_game_2972]

2:18 It's a such a nice story im glad they are all ok

[@layyyla1648]

pray for kuya emman!!😇😔

[@beckistewart4707]

Hi what were your symptoms and how did you finally get diagnosed please?so pleased you got the help you needed x

[@adelfapillo8327]

I have a bone marrow transplant last sept.you always feel tired and going up and down is so hard and if you sit down you cannot get up immediately you need to to do blood test

[@barbmeekins]

This has been going on for the last 3 years!

[@Basicstuffbasiceverything]

I’m almost 5 years in remission from APL. Such an empowering survival xx

[@thevibes9215]

Wow

[@thevibes9215]

What you did for remission?

[@writeandwrite259]

Hey I'm to an APL patient

[@elijahrodriguez2095]

I’m 10 years in remission

[@limitlessss2493]

@@elijahrodriguez2095 I want to talk uu

[@mikym2096]

I wish we have money to help my sister survive. Now she diagnosed leukemia and her brain is already affected. Its hard to accept thats she have this disease. The sad part thing is she have a 1 year old baby😭😭😭

[@ivancordero1209]

It's nothing calm down the doctors do everything all you need is patience

[@nurultea2069]

Beautiful she is

[@barbmeekins]

My husband got a bone marrow biopsy 3 times they said it was inconclusive all 3 times. but today the Dr. said they found 5% Leukemia but wasn't enough to present the diagnosis of it! white blood cell count is 42 and hemoglobin low too! Help!

[@nirmolakjawanda3613]

Mam how much time after your TLC and pletlets are work stable......my bmt complte 6 month bt pletlets are up and down

[@nirbhayjasrotia9212]

R u ok now plz reply

[@bhavneetsingh155]

god bless you

[@amelia396]

Diagnosed on 6/03/20 bmt on 9/23/20

[@lanlan87]

bless!

[@jovelynybanez3982]

hi everyone im knocking your hearts door will open for help toy husband had aml leukemia..i dont know what to do were running out of money..hope you can help my husband..this time

[@mdrahamatullahmd4574]

I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2022. After, clinical finding and investigation my doctor advised to consume capsule IBRUTINIB. I started consuming that continuosly and thanks God I am doing well till date. I do not have any complication except loss of bodyweight. Otherwise,I am feeling well and discharging my normal life schedule. Please advise me what should I do to lead a longer life.

[@shinyo4321]

What are u eating and what is daily routine

[@mdrahamatullahmd4574]

@@shinyo4321 Normally in my daily life I eat chapatees and vegetables. I eat fish and chicken twice a week Also mutton once a week. On the other hand, I eat daily beetroot, spinach, lemon, apple,raddice, juices. Ginger, tomato,juices etc.

[@dianajames4717]

are you still in remission three years later?

[@melissaruffino1539]

I am in remission 8 years later. Still going strong:).

[@SalmanKhan-uf8tl]

I started taking the medication I bought from DOCTOR OKUNABA channel on KZbin and surprisingly it was working gradually & in 9days everything changed, I'm utterly Excited because you cured my infection Naturally & I pray that God Strengthens you Doctor Okunaba

[@tinaiye7390]

Thank you Dr Omoh on KZbin for being the reason why am smiling today, your herbal supplements sir are indeed very effective. Keep saving lives Sir,,,

[@BYRDMNX]

Emman died bcuz of this cancer .RIP emman nimedez legendary

[@Jerrycourtney]

Is she still alive?

[@RainyDays1234]

Jerry Courtney yeah she’s my one of my teachers

[@Jerrycourtney]

✎🥀LPS Rainy Days🥀™️ thank you for the reply. My grandmother was diagnosed with this last year at 69. She’s in complete remission. I search KZbin and the internet constantly for just a glimmer of hope.

[@Exister2718]

@@Jerrycourtney hows your grandmother now after 4 months.?

[@abdullahalharthy1515]

@@Jerrycourtney my young brother diegnosed today

[@Jerrycourtney]

Abdullah Alharthy what is your brother’s name? I would like to pray for him

[@daynenielgabrielcf85]

Emmaaaaaaan T_T

[@10F2C]

Lizzy Winkle would have watch this video Just Kidding

[@droy9559]

Fake smile

[@BYRDMNX]

Emman died bcuz of this cancer .RIP emman nimedez legendary

[@tinaiye7390]

Thank you Dr Omoh on KZbin for being the reason why am smiling today, your herbal supplements sir are indeed very effective. Keep saving lives Sir,,,