A Typical Cold Turns into a Nightmare

Breeze Hunter was like any other senior at Texas A&M University, starting her year with what she thought was just a common head cold. But when the symptoms dragged on for nearly two months, worry set in.

She felt drained all the time, struggling with shortness of breath and relentless headaches. Initially, campus doctors diagnosed her with a sinus infection, attributing her symptoms to the usual chaos of student life.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Things took a dramatic turn when a doctor suggested further blood tests. What they found was alarming: her blood levels were erratic. Shortly after, Hunter was at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where doctors delivered the shocking news—she had acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

"I couldn’t believe it. I have cancer?" she reflected. "It felt surreal and terrifying."

Immediate Action Required

Once diagnosed, Hunter’s treatment commenced immediately. The first round of chemotherapy was remarkably effective—her percentage of abnormal blood cells plummeted from 95% to 7%.

To enter remission, patients must achieve 5% or fewer blast cells. Hunter endured another, more grueling round of chemo followed by 11 days of radiation targeting her brain and spine. "It took a serious toll on my body," she admitted.

Finding Humor in Hard Times

During her long hospital stay—a month just for the first round of chemo—Hunter turned to social media for solace. She started making TikToks about her cancer journey, capturing attention with a viral video where she humorously parodied MTV’s "Cribs," giving a tour of her hospital room.

"I got the idea from watching clips with my sister—it was my way of coping and connecting!" she shared.

Support from Loved Ones

Throughout this ordeal, Hunter leaned heavily on her family, boyfriend, and classmates. "When you're alone, your mind can spiral into dark places," she said, expressing gratitude for not experiencing that thanks to her support system.

She also formed bonds with fellow leukemia patients, including a childhood friend, providing each other with emotional support during their challenging journey.

A Critical Stem Cell Transplant

As of December, Hunter had entered remission, but she needed a stem cell transplant to replace the cancerous cells. Thankfully, her brother was a perfect match, and the transplant was performed in January.

"It was the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced," she recalled, struggling through weight loss and mucositis, a common inflammatory condition post-treatment.

A Bright Future Ahead

Today, her health is improving, with hospital visits transitioning from daily to just once a week. Hunter continued her online classes from home and celebrated her graduation on May 9, earning a degree in agricultural leadership and development.

Excitedly looking ahead, she plans a family vacation—something she has longed for while being immunocompromised.

"I can't wait to get back to normal and enjoy life!" she said with a hopeful smile.