Definitions

When I started this journey I had no idea what half of the things were that the doctors were talking about.  I'm a firm believer in education... "Knowing is half the battle" and understanding the words the doctors use helps me ask better questions.  (All the definitions are linked to the pages I found the definitions on).

Acute Myeloid Leukemia:  (The Cancer I have been diagnosed with...) Cancer starts when cells in a part of the body begin to grow out of control. There are many kinds of cancer. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer.  Leukemias are cancers that start in cells that would normally develop into different types of blood cells. Most often, leukemia starts in early forms of white blood cells, but some leukemias start in other blood cell types. There are several types of leukemia, which are divided based mainly on whether the leukemia is acute (fast growing) or chronic (slower growing), and whether it starts in myeloid cells or lymphoid cells.  Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) starts in the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made), but most often it quickly moves into the blood, as well. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including the lymph nodes, liver, spleen, central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and testicles.  Most often, AML develops from cells that would turn into white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), but sometimes AML develops in other types of blood-forming cells.  Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has many other names, including acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

Costochondritis: An inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone.  The cause usually isn't known.  In some circumstances, it develops after trauma or a muscle strain.

Neutrophils:  A type of white blood cell. They make up the biggest number of all kinds of white blood cells. They kill and digest bacteria and fungi to help your body fight infections and heal wounds.

Pericarditis:  A swelling and irritation of the thin sac-like membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium).