Ethan Harrison, 19, thought he was suffering from a regular toothache. But doctors later told him he could have had as little as three weeks left to live if he hadn’t received immediate treatment.
A routine dentist visit may have saved the 19-year-old’s life. Ethan had been experiencing pain in his wisdom teeth and decided to get them checked out – and that’s when things took a dramatic turn.
Ethan, from South Wingfield in the UK, thought he might have an infection and expected a wisdom tooth removal could be on the table. But when his dentist noticed a swollen lymph node, he was quickly referred to his GP for blood tests. Soon after, doctors discovered he was suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia.
According to Cancer Research UK, acute myeloid leukaemia “is a type of blood cancer that starts from young white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes in the bone marrow.”
“It was very surreal”
Ethan was rushed to Chesterfield Royal Hospital and had to begin treatment immediately. Doctors later confirmed that if his condition had not been diagnosed when it was, the 19-year-old could have had as little as three weeks left to live.
He is currently undergoing treatment, which began on May 17.
His mother, Roxy Bond, 37, said the family feels “incredibly lucky” that the dentist spotted the swollen lymph node.
“When the diagnosis came it was very surreal and just very, very unexpected,” she said, according to UNILAD. “The team at the hospital said if he hadn’t come in he would have only had a few weeks to live.
“It felt like a story you’d hear about someone else, not your son.”
Acute myeloid leukaemia
A GoFundMe has been launched to help support Ethan and his family as they navigate the difficult months ahead.
“He is currently in hospital and we have been told he is likely to remain there for at least the next four weeks while undergoing the first stage of treatment. In total, Ethan will face four rounds of intensive chemotherapy over the months ahead,” the page reads.
“Despite everything that has been thrown at him, Ethan continues to amaze us every single day. Anyone who knows him will know exactly the kind of person he is — kind, caring, funny, witty and unbelievably generous. Somehow, even through all of this, he is still managing to stay positive and keep us smiling.
“We are creating this page to help support Ethan through his treatment, recovery and the challenges that come with such a life-changing diagnosis at such a young age.”
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