Before my acute myeloid leukemia diagnosis, I was in great shape. I was training 20-25 hours a week as a professional triathlete and had recently won an IRONMAN 70.3 and placed 5th in an IRONMAN Regional Pro Championship in Frankfurt, Germany. I know no one feels great right after an IRONMAN competition, but after Ironman Frankfurt in July, I was feeling a bit “off” and more tired than usual.

A few weeks later, a routine blood...