Student, 22, brushed off common symptoms as a sinus infection before life-changing cancer diagnosis
Breeze Hunter has revealed how she received the life-changing diagnosis after experiencing headaches for months on end, as well as persistent pressure in her nose.
She had shared her concerns with a medic, who informed her she had 'a lot of fluid' in her ears which was causing her headaches and that she likely had a 'sinus infection'.
When she headed back to the doctors a few months later still complaining of the continuing headaches as well as feeling 'very weak and fatigued', Breeze underwent some blood tests.
The Texas A&M University student was informed that she was very anaemic - meaning her body was not producing enough healthy red blood cells - which rang alarm bells, and she was encouraged to take herself to hospital.
Breeze headed to the University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital in her hometown of League City, Texas, and underwent further testing, where it emerged she was dealing with something a lot more sinister than a sinus infection.
"I had many people coming in and saying, 'It's looking like a sign of leukaemia, but we'll keep testing because it could be a bunch of other things'," she told Today.com.
"I freaked out. I had no idea what leukaemia was. I was like, 'am I going to survive this? Or is it treatable?'"
Her worst fears came true when doctors at the MD Anderson Cancer Center then confirmed she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), which the NHS describe as an 'aggressive cancer of the monocyte or granulocyte cells'.
It's considered a rare form of the disease, and around 3,100 people in the UK are diagnosed with it each year. Symptoms tend to progressively get worse.
Signs of AML can include looking pale or 'washed out', feeling tired or weak, breathlessness, frequent infections, unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, and unexplained weight loss.
Breeze's treatment quickly got underway and she first had a bone marrow aspiration, a procedure where doctors take a sample of the liquid part of your bone marrow to be sent off for testing.
She also had a spinal tap, which is also known as a lumbar puncture, which is where a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is taken to be sent off for analysis.
Doctors determined it would be best for her to stay in hospital as they tackled the AML head on by giving her chemotherapy infusions, with a pill for a week straight as part of a clinical trial.
Medics saw a vast improvement in her health within 21 days, and Breeze was given a second round of the trial treatment.
"I was supposed to get at least six rounds," the college student said. "The chemo worked so well I only had to do two."
After 11 rounds of radiation and another blast of chemotherapy, Breeze then underwent a stem cell transplant. Thankfully, her younger brother Roy, 21, was a perfect match and was able to be her donor.
Reflecting on her intense treatment, the young woman explained: "I got a radiation/chemo burn all over my body, which was very very painful and I was pretty much burnt all over.
"Probably towards the end, I was over it. I was like, 'I can't do this. This is too much'. It was very hard at times but God's watching me. So, I knew I was going to be okay."
Breeze remained in hospital for over a month as she recovered.
Dr Courtney DiNardo, a professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center with an expertise in of leukaemia, said Breeze is now 'doing fantastic'.
"Being a college student in the prime of your life getting dealt a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, I can only imagine how life altering and depressing it could be," he said.
"But she's always had such a beautiful spirit and good attitude."
Breeze will continue with chemotherapy treatment for the next year to be on the safe side - but says she is 'so excited' to make the most of her second chance at life.
"Cancer is very, very scary," the student said. "If you ever have any side effects like headaches, you're losing weight, you have bruises on you, anything like that, go to the doctor and get blood work done...it can't hurt you and it just tells you if something is wrong."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
15 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M mascot Reveille through the years
Mascots are a huge part of college sports. At Texas A&M, there is a gorgeous mascot named Reveille, a Collie that has gotten deserved recognition as one of the best in the game. The current Reveille is Reveille X and was just in the news because she had to undergo a procedure to remove an eye due to complications of glaucoma. "I'm grateful to report that Miss Rev has come through the surgery successfully, has been discharged and is resting comfortably," Gen. Mark Welsh, president of Texas A&M said in a statement. "Our priority is her health and well-being, and we are blessed to have access to the remarkably talented and caring Texas A&M veterinary team who will continue to monitor Miss Rev on her road to recovery. She will take a brief hiatus from engagements as she fully recovers. According to her veterinary team, we can expect Miss Rev to be back to enjoying all her favorite activities — cruising on Rev Force One, attending classes, cheering on the Aggies and keeping our campus squirrels in line — this fall." Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille Reveille


USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M border collie mascot Reveille X has right eye removed after glaucoma diagnosis
Reveille X, Texas A&M's famous border collie live mascot, had her right eye removed after veterinarians diagnosed her with glaucoma, the university announced on July 23. In a statement released by the school, Texas A&M president Mark A. Welsh III said that Reveille X will 'take a brief hiatus from engagements while she recovers,' but will return for all of her customary activities in the fall. 'Our priority is her health and well-being, and we are blessed to have access to the remarkably talented and caring Texas A&M veterinary team who will continue to monitor Miss Rev on her road to recovery,' Welsh said in the statement. REQUIRED READING: After Rose Bowl meltdown, Oregon doubling down on College Football Playoff title run The collie had been experiencing discomfort and cloudiness in her right eye. During a check-up at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, veterinarians recommended surgery to relieve the discomfort. In the middle of the procedure Wednesday, they discovered signs of abnormal tissue and, because of that, elected to remove the eye. The Reveille mascot is one of the most iconic in college sports, dating all the way back to 1931, when a group of cadets came across an injured dog, brought her to campus and gave her her nickname when she barked when buglers played morning reveille. The current Reveille, the 10th the school has had, took over the role in 2021.


Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
Smart wearable tracks your hydration in real time
We all know staying hydrated is important, but most of us don't actually track how much water we need. The signs of dehydration, like dizziness, fatigue, or confusion, can creep in before you even realize you're in trouble. By the time you feel thirsty, you're already behind. That's what makes the new wearable hydration sensor so valuable. Instead of guessing, this device provides real-time data, allowing you to stay ahead of dehydration, rather than just react to it. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the sensor is designed to detect early signs of dehydration using a method called bioimpedance. This method sends a small, painless electrical current through your bicep and measures how easily that current flows through your tissue. Because water is a good conductor of electricity, well-hydrated tissue lets the current pass easily. When you're dehydrated, your tissues resist the current, and the sensor detects that. The sensor connects wirelessly to a smartphone app, delivering instant feedback about your hydration level. You don't have to stop what you're doing or wait for lab results. The data is continuous and always available. This isn't just cool tech, it's practical. For athletes pushing through workouts in the heat, the sensor could help them avoid fatigue or cramping. For firefighters or police officers wearing heavy gear in scorching temperatures, it offers a way to stay safe on the job. Even office workers who forget to drink water during long meetings could benefit from a reminder when their hydration levels drop. The researchers believe the wearable hydration sensor could also play a major role in health care. Patients with kidney problems or cardiovascular issues often need to monitor hydration closely. Until now, that meant invasive tests or relying on symptoms. This sensor could make hydration tracking simple, accurate, and non-invasive. To make sure the sensor really works, the research team ran controlled experiments. They had participants take a diuretic to promote fluid loss and tracked hydration using the sensor. At the same time, they collected urine samples to confirm results. The sensor's data closely matched the chemical markers in the samples. That means the technology is not only accurate, but it can also be trusted even during normal daily activities like walking or working. Study co-author Matija Jankovic explained that arm bioimpedance was highly sensitive to changes in hydration. It also aligned with whole-body hydration, making it a reliable alternative to traditional testing. Standard ways of checking hydration, like urine tests or blood work, are time-consuming and not practical for everyday use. Some commercial tools already exist, but they tend to be bulky or require users to stay in one spot. They're just not built for real life. That's where this sensor has the edge. It's compact, portable, and constantly running in the background. It works while you move, exercise, or even just sit at your desk. Right now, the sensor tracks relative changes in hydration, which is a powerful tool on its own. But the research team wants to take it further. They plan to collect data from a larger population to create baseline values for absolute hydration levels. This step would make the device even more accurate and personal. They're also exploring new wearable designs, such as breathable e-tattoos and sweat-wicking sensors, that could offer better comfort and longer wear. Future models might track hydration in other areas of the body, like the forearm or thigh. The team is optimistic that these innovations will make hydration tracking even more seamless and accessible. Lead researcher Nanshu Lu, who has worked on similar wearable health tech in the past, says this is only the beginning. Her vision is to bring simple, real-time hydration tracking to everyone, no matter their lifestyle or profession. Staying hydrated just got a whole lot easier. With a wearable hydration sensor, you no longer have to rely on guesswork or vague reminders to drink water. Whether you're powering through a workout, focused on a demanding job, or just caught up in a busy day, this device keeps tabs on your hydration status in real time. That means you get clear, instant feedback-before dehydration slows you down. While this technology is still in the research and development phase, the early results are promising. It's not yet available to the public, but the groundwork is in place. Once it moves into production, this kind of real-time hydration tracking could become a part of daily life, helping you stay healthier, more alert, and ahead of the curve. Dehydration isn't always obvious, but it can quickly become serious. The wearable hydration sensor puts the power to monitor your health back in your hands. It's accurate, non-invasive, and built for daily life. Whether you're training for a marathon or just trying to stay sharp at work, knowing your hydration status in real time could make all the difference. Would you trust a wearable sensor to tell you when it's time to hydrate, or do you think thirst is still the best signal? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.