On March 28, 2013, my life changed forever. After making several trips to the doctor’s office to check on an ongoing cough, night sweats, and weight loss — along with taking rounds of antibiotics that did not seem to help — I had a CAT scan that revealed I had stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I was 27 years old.
I wasn’t surprised that I was sick, given the many signs and symptoms I had been experiencing. But receiving a cancer diagnosis made me feel truly broken. The months that followed were a rollercoaster of ups and downs as I endured chemotherapy, tried several medications, and underwent surgeries.
Then, there were the other challenges that popped up throughout the ordeal: a staph infection, blood clots, anxiety, and depression. It all became part of my journey to survival. My oncology doctor and her team were attentive and made me comfortable throughout my cancer treatment. But I didn’t just rely on them for my needs — I decided to get involved in my care by researching my disease and asking questions about things I didn’t understand or had concerns with.
I became a self-advocate — something that’s still an important part of my identity 8 years later. I also felt it was important, after I got better, to share my survivorship story publicly and use my platform to reach a broader audience of people with cancer who need hope.
As a survivor, one of the major messages I offer to people who recently received a blood cancer diagnosis is to stay positive as much as possible. With that said, I also want them to know that it’s still OK to cry in those tough moments. Sometimes crying and praying or meditating helped me cope when I felt sad or anxious.
Having an amazing support group, including family and friends, to call on is also very important. If you don’t have that level of support (or you’re looking to grow your support network even more), check out the LLS.
It can connect you to someone who has gone through blood cancer through its peer-to-peer support program. You’ll have a real person you can ask about how to manage the same condition you’re coping with and what their experience was like.
My biggest takeaway from my cancer experience was realizing that life can change in a blink of an eye. Receiving a blood cancer diagnosis taught me to live my best life.
Surviving my battle against blood cancer also taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought — and that my strength can inspire someone else just like me.
