Alison Kuzj and Leukemia
November 7, 2008 • written by Gerard Van Wijk
Towards the end of 2007, Alison Kuzj, senior, was feeling major back pains. After some time, they went to the doctor, where Alison had her blood tested. The doctors told her that her cell counts were off. Additional testing was done, and on January 2nd, 2008, the result came out as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Alison was completely shocked.
“All I knew was that I had to go through chemotherapy,” she explained, “I didn’t know how long; I didn’t know how bad it was, or how much it would change my life. I suppose I found all of that stuff out later, but that was probably the worst part.”
The intensive chemo started that same day, and has continued for the past nine months. She is currently in maintenance, which will continue for the next two years. Additionally, at the beginning of each month, she has to get a spinal tap, bone marrow biopsies, and she has to go on steroids.
“Steroids are worse than chemo,” she ranted, “because they make me crazy!”
Alison has a portacath installed into her chest, which makes it simpler and more convenient to draw blood samples and receive injections, which will remain for the duration of her treatment.
Alison considers herself lucky that she did not have any leukemia in her nervous system, and therefore did not need radiation.
She has received overwhelming amounts of support from friends and family in the forms of cards, visits, and even food. Unfortunately, she was too sick to eat any of it, but her brother Joe was there to finish it off.
“There are some people who have fallen out of my life because of it,” said Alison, “but there are so many more people who have really surprised me. I’ve been able to see their true colors. There’s a lot of amazing people at our school. Everyone’s been so great.”
Last year, there was a candy fundraiser to support Alison as well as Alex Tilson, another cancer patient and senior at PHS. They raised about $400 for Alison. She also participated in Relay for Life, and is the representative for clinic.
“It’s good, because apparently, cancer is expensive to treat,” she said jokingly, “we have really good insurance, but it’s still ridiculous. Something like $2000 dollars for a Band-Aid…”
She applied for the Make a Wish program, and won a two week cruise for her entire family in the Mediterranean next year, all expenses paid. They announced it at her maintenance party, to which they brought delicious cheese cake, and a large poster.
When Alison is not receiving treatment or in school, she is the captain of the girl’s swim team, in NHS, Circle of Friends, and art club. She is unsure of what she wants to do in college, as far as a major, but she knows that she wants to minor in art. Her first year of school will have to be at the University of Minnesota, because her clinic is nearby, but afterwards, Alison says she can transfer almost anywhere she wants.
“This whole thing has taught me a lot,” Alison reflected, “My whole perspective on life has changed. Everything seems a lot more beautiful.”
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I dont think I could deal with what she has. I really admire her strength! I really loved how once she started to lose her hair, she didnt become sad. Instead she went out a got a bunch of fabulous wigs. One day she had very short pink hair and the next it was blonde and extremely long. She really sets a good example of how to live life.
I agree with her that you get to see people’s true colors when something in your life changes. She’s strong and in my opinion, sets a good influence around people. live your life, girl. and stay strong just like you are.