Madison McIntosh -18 years old
When I was fifteen, I was feeling sick and after several trips to the doctor and misdiagnoses, I went to the emergency room and subsequently diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on June 24, 2013. This is when I was introduced to the importance of blood donation. Upon my admittance to the hospital, my hemoglobin was critically low, only 3.3 (normal is 12.0-16.0) and my platelets were also extremely low. I was in immediate need of several transfusions of red blood cells and platelets. Without transfusions, I would have died.
A new diagnosis of leukemia was such a surprise because I was a normal teenage girl with several fun summer activities planned. I had tickets to One Direction’s concert and a week of vacation to Florida planned. I did not have time for cancer! However, I accepted the diagnosis and I immediately drew inspiration from my Papa because he struggled so long with his health. I said, “If Papa can do it, I can do it!” I wanted to fight this battle with a great attitude and all of my strength. As the next few days went by, I wanted to take this challenge on in a different way. During my initial round of chemotherapy, I decided I was not going to live in a boring hospital, and I wanted my room to be special. We decorated my hospital room with posters my friends made and life size cardboard cutouts of One Direction. We even had streamers hanging from my ceiling. When it came time for my hair to fall out, I threw a head shaving party and seventeen of my friends came up to my hospital room and shaved part of their heads with me.
Little did I know that leukemia was going to be the easy part of my journey. The morning of July 13, 2013, at 8:30 am, I started complaining of excruciating pain in my right thigh. Over the course of the day, I continued to complain and I pleaded for resolve, but no amount of pain medication was helping. That evening, when the night shift nurse came on and did my assessment, it was apparent that my health was deteriorating and I was critically ill. I immediately transferred to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for close observation.
The following morning, I had a diagnostic MRI and the radiologist was reading the films live and he called to stop my MRI series because he saw that I had gas in my muscle. He suspected necrotizing fasciitis, aka, “the flesh eating bacteria.” They were planning to take me immediately to the operating room to begin removing the infection in my thigh. At the last minute, I was diverted back to the PICU because they realized my platelets were down to 7 (normal is 150-440). I received two units of platelets prior to my surgery. Finally, 29 hours after I first complained of symptoms, I underwent the first of many surgeries to debride and cut the infection out of my leg. The physician wanted to take me to the operating room for debridement at least twice per day pending my stability. Every surgery I endured increased the risk of bleeding and it was vital I receive several units of platelets and red blood cells to keep me from hemorrhaging. At one point, it was frightening for everyone involved because doctors told my mother that there were only two units of platelets available in the state of Oklahoma. As each unit of platelets came available, they were reserved specifically for me and Oklahoma Blood Institute was sending dedicated drivers from Oklahoma City to Tulsa to deliver me, Madison McIntosh, lifesaving platelets. I cannot imagine what would have happened if platelets had not come available. I was septic, had the “flesh-eating bacteria”, leukemia, and low platelets and red blood cells. It was the perfect storm.
Fortunately, I had no idea I was fighting for my life, I was in a medically induced coma. July 15th, after my fourth surgery in 24 hours, I took a horrible turn for the worst. I was in a cascade of organ failure and doctors warned of a total amputation at my hip, only if I survived long enough to go to the next surgery. I was very unstable and in respiratory failure. I even had to have respiratory resuscitation. Doctors were certain that my funeral was imminent. Fortunately, I began to stabilize and the infection quit spreading. Amputation was not necessary, but I was left with a very large wound running from hip to knee that covered both sides of my leg. 
During that critical week, I would miss the One Direction concert. I remember one of the last things I told the attending oncologist was, “I am going to the One Direction concert, so you better get me out of this hospital in time.” Unfortunately, I fell gravely ill later that day only to wake several days after the concert was over to find my life was forever altered. I do not remember much of it, but I know that I am a miracle standing here today. My leg was scarred beyond recognition. I could no longer walk and I required someone to turn me every two hours to prevent bedsores. I was now a patient needing total care. Doctors were unsure if I would ever walk again, but I was determined to overcome.
Learning to walk again
During the next few months, my doctor managed my wound care under anesthesia in the operating room. I had four wound vacuums on my leg for three months. Wound vacuums remove extra body fluid and proteins from the wound and they caused me to need several more transfusions of blood products. I have been to the operating room 42 times. I actually got so comfortable going to surgery that I started breaking the rules; I painted my nails every night before I went to the OR. I had my cheetah sheets on my hospital bed as they wheeled me down twice a week. Instead of the hospital gown, I wore my own clothes. I took my favorite childhood bear with me and the staff always decorated him while I was asleep. The operating staff was so good to me and I will never forget how well they took care of me. It is possible that I am one of the only children has no fear of having surgery!
I transferred to a hospital in Texas on September 25, the day after my 16th birthday to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. After undergoing chemotherapy preparation for several days, on October 17, 2013, I received the gift of life with a perfectly matched bone marrow. During this time, the amount of blood products I needed was numerous due to the chemotherapy that ablated my blood cells. My wound was still open and needing twice-weekly dressing changes. Not only had the chemotherapy caused the normal need for transfusions, but it also increased the oozing wound on my leg compounding the need for blood products. It was a difficult time, and I am so grateful for so many people that took the time to donate their blood and plasma. Without them, I would not be here.
Life saving
Having cancer and getting a major infection in my leg was life changing for me. Unfortunately, I have lost a major muscle in my leg, and I had to learn to walk again. It has been a very slow process and I have overcome many obstacles. My right leg has a gnarly scar that I am very proud of. It is my battle scar and it proves that I am a survivor. Currently, I am a senior at Charles Page High school and I am a manager on the Varsity Dance team. As a member of National Honor Society, I helped this year’s campaign for Oklahoma Blood Institute’s annual blood drive at my school. Because of the donations I have received, I plan to continue to advocate for the need for blood donation while I attend college next fall to pursue a nursing degree and eventually help children with cancer.
Working the Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive at high school