''My fatigue turned out to be the same diagnosis that killed my dad'
A young man's flu-like symptoms turned out to be a blood cancer that took his own father's life.
Michael Cramer from Miami, Florida, US, first experience symptoms like general fatigue and a lack of appetite, which later turned out to be blood cancer.
He was first given the shocking diagnosis as a teenager in July 2020, sparking a horrific journey to beat his cancer into remission.
When he first began experiencing symptoms, the now 21-year-old didn’t think much of it and simply continued enjoying his life, spending time on his favourite hobby — windsurfing and sailing.
Michael, who is fighting blood cancer, revealed the subtle flu-like signs that led to his diagnoses — such as general fatigue and lack of appetite. (Jam Press/@michaelreidcramer)
Michael received chemotherapy treatment (Jam Press Vid/@michaelreidcramer)But his health quickly began to decline and a few months later, a visit to the doctor revealed the harrowing diagnosis.
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Tragically, his own father, Patrice Cramer, 61, died of lymphoma in May 2016, but Michael fights on in his memory.
"When I first heard the words cancer I was shocked,” Michael told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
It was devastating to hear the words 'lymphoma' because that's what my father passed away from.
"My mom was shocked, but my family and I stayed positive and we did our best to remain calm.
"The doctor also tried to protect me, but after doing my own research online, I discovered the survival rate was just 15 per cent."
Michael said his family has been a huge support to him during such a difficult time (Jam Press/@michaelreidcramer)Spurred on by the memory of his father, Michael fought harder than ever to survive, refusing to leave his mum and siblings with another person to grieve.
But he felt unprepared for the horrifying effects of the cancer treatment, and after intense chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, irradiation and radiation, he developed a lasting condition, Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD).
He said: "The donor’s stem cells were rejecting my body and attacking my major organs — this disease is now chronic for me and I will live with it for a very long time.
Michael continued to take part in his favourite hobby -windsurfing (Jam Press/@michaelreidcramer)"I was shocked about how after cancer treatment there are so many long-term effects.
"All of my bones and joints are destroyed from treatment, my knees, elbows, and shoulders have so much pain because of osteoporosis and avascular necrosis.
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"There is a lack of blood flow in my bones due to medications that I took during treatment which has caused some bone collapse and it makes it extremely difficult to work out, lift heavy objects, or even get up a flight of stairs.
"Cancer and its complications are much more complex than I thought previously."
Thankfully, after three months of chemotherapy, Michael’s cancer went into remission.
Michael is now on the mend (Jam Press/@michaelreidcramer)Now, the focus is on his GVHD, which requires "several years" of treatments including extracorporeal photopheresis (a machine that changes his blood to have weakened white blood cells) and immunosuppressants.
Despite everything he’s been through, Michael says some positives have come out of his diagnosis, including the chance encounter with now-girlfriend, Suzie Lima, 20, who works at a hotel, and a new-found appreciation for his mother.
He said: “I met Suzie through a good friend of mine.
"She sounded amazing so I decided to message her online and shoot my shot — she is gorgeous, funny, kind and sweet.
"My mom, Ashlee Cramer, 51, was an early childhood educator and taught music classes to young ones before I had cancer.
"When I was diagnosed, she had to give up her career to take care of me full-time.
"My mom is the sole reason I got through everything, she never left my side even during my darkest moments — she lifted me up, kept me going and is my inspiration.
"Another source of motivation is my siblings.
"My sister Jennifer, 19, and my brother Steven, 23, already lost their father to cancer, I cannot have them lose their brother."
Despite the lasting effects of his treatment, Michael is currently enjoying remission and says that daily pain aside, the fact that he's living, is reward enough.
He added: “I still am in treatment two to four days a week, life is hard, but I am still in remission — I am just very grateful to still be alive.”
"I live with Chronic GVHD, so I have many side effects in my day-to-day life.
"For example, my mouth is very sensitive, so I have to use a special toothpaste.
"I cannot get any sun and I get tired very easily.
"I could go on about the side effects I live with, but the most important thing is... I am still alive today!
"My advice to others is that life is short — live it to the fullest, and tell everyone and anyone you love, that you love them.
"Do what makes you happy as often as you can, appreciate what you have and do not compare yourself to others — be grateful for your health."
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