National Cancer Survivor Month: Adrienne Chief’s Journey of Resilience and Hope
Adrienne at the hospital, receiving her chemo treatment
In honor of National Cancer Survivor Month this past June, we sat down with Adrienne Chief, a resilient cancer survivor, to share her inspiring story. Adrienne, a 36-year-old Diné (Navajo) woman from Kayenta, AZ, currently resides in Flagstaff, AZ. She is a mother of three, married, and is on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a high school teacher, specializing in special education. Adrienne’s journey with Philadelphia positive – B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a testament to her strength, perseverance, and hope.
Background and Diagnosis
Adrienne first learned she had cancer during a routine ER visit at 36 weeks pregnant. What she thought were chest pains turned out to be a more severe diagnosis. On January 23rd, after an insightful lab tech performed a blood smear, Adrienne received a call from the ER doctor informing her she had leukemia. At 26% blast in her blood, she was immediately induced and flown to Phoenix Banner University Medical Center, where she delivered her baby girl naturally.
Petri dishes which show the difference between normal blood and blood with leukemia
Adrienne’s specific type of leukemia, typically found in children and adolescents, posed a significant challenge as an adult due to lower survival rates and a more aggressive treatment regimen. The Philadelphia positive portion of her leukemia meant her treatment needed to be even more intensive, involving a lifelong oral chemo pill.
Treatment Journey
Adrienne’s treatment journey was fraught with challenges, both general and unique to her experience as a Native American (NA) person. A crucial aspect of leukemia treatment is finding a stem cell transplant match, which proved difficult for Adrienne due to the low representation of Native Americans in the national donor database. Despite testing her siblings and advocating for more awareness, a suitable match was not found.
Building Lego sets like this ‘Up’ house helped Adrienne through her treatment journey
Adrienne took to TikTok (@adriennes_life) to raise awareness about leukemia, stem cell transplants, and the unique challenges faced by Native Americans. Her content initially focused on her treatment journey but has since evolved to highlight life after cancer, including cooking, mental health, and journaling.
Cultural and Traditional Practices
Throughout her journey, Adrienne found strength in cultural and traditional practices. Her mother and husband’s aunt performed medicine man blessings and ceremonies, while Christian blessings from her church community also offered comfort. These practices helped Adrienne maintain a positive mindset and reinforced her belief that she could overcome her illness.
Support System
Adrienne’s support system played a pivotal role in her cancer journey. When diagnosed, she was 36 weeks pregnant, and the support of her husband and family was invaluable. Her husband’s aunt cared for their newborn daughter, allowing Adrienne to focus on her treatment. Adrienne also praises the nursing team on the oncology floor at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix for their exceptional care and emotional support.
Reading, journaling, coloring, music, cross-stitching, music and basketball playoffs provided Adrienne an outlet to escape, keep busy, and remain positive
Her oncologist at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, also provided hope and reassurance, telling her she was doing amazing with her treatment regimen and would live a long life. This positivity was crucial as Adrienne faced multiple 6-7 week hospital stays for treatment.
Life After Treatment
Surviving cancer has profoundly changed Adrienne’s perspective on life. She is more confident, cherishes every moment, and is determined to enjoy the life she has left. Adrienne is close to achieving her goal of becoming a teacher, with only two years left in her education degree program at Grand Canyon University.
Adrienne emphasizes the need for improved cancer care for Native American communities, particularly through increased testing and awareness. She advocates for regular blood smears to detect leukemia early and encourages individuals to be proactive about their health.
Personal Reflections
To Adrienne, being a cancer survivor means appreciating the little things and living life to the fullest. She takes joy in everyday moments with her family and documents these memories through pictures and videos. On TikTok, she showcases life after cancer, addressing the mental health challenges and the constant fear of relapse.
Adrienne’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-advocacy in health care. She urges others to be proactive, seek second opinions, and never stop fighting for their health. Her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for all, especially in celebration of National Cancer Survivor Month.
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Adrienne’s resilience and determination shine through her story, offering hope and inspiration to others facing similar battles. Her advocacy for more awareness and testing in Native American communities highlights the need for systemic changes in cancer care. As Adrienne continues her journey, she remains a powerful voice for cancer survivors everywhere.