Meet Survivor, Maria T.

Meet Survivor, Maria T.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
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13 months ago at 8:46 PM

Maria is an AYA cancer survivor living in Los Angeles. She loves the outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking in the mountains. Maria is lucky to have the support of her partner, Ben, and German Shepherd rescue pup, Tuna.

What was your cancer diagnosis and how was it discovered?

I was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell Lymphoma. I had pain in my lower abdomen and after a few months a large mass appeared. I had an MRI and a 7 cm mass was discovered in my rectus abdominus muscle. After a biopsy, it was discovered to be Lymphoma.

What is the biggest piece of advice you have for newly diagnosed patients?

Please make sure you advocate for yourself! If a doctor or caregiver isn’t listening to you and addressing your needs, speak up.

What is the most important thing you learned from your cancer experience?

I learned to appreciate family and friends even more. I have never felt more loved and supported as I did when I had cancer. People in my life really showed up to help. And for that I am eternally grateful and feel very lucky.

What was the most difficult aspect of organizing your care/community?


I hate asking for help. So being in such a vulnerable position was very difficult. A company like OneVillage would have been perfect for me. It would have allowed me to direct friends to a site with all the things I needed during care. I also found it extremely hard to decide the best course of care. I was faced with two different doctors recommending two different treatments, one more aggressive than the other. So again, a site like OneVillage would have been really helpful to me as I navigated that decision.

What are three words you would use to describe your cancer experience?

Exhausting, Scary, Perseverance

Are there products, services, experiences or physicians that you couldn't be without?

I had terrible mouth sours during chemo so Biotin, smoothies, soups and metal straws were my saviors.

Interested in connecting with Maria?

Follow Maria on Instagram @mariatestani!

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How Not to Scream at Strangers: Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis

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What is OneVillage?

Whether you're living with cancer or know someone who is, OneVillage is here to help you navigate your new normal. Find relatable contentcare planning tools, and a community that understands, all in a safe environment that is medically approved by our board of independent oncology experts. Questions about how it works? Contact us now!

Maria is an AYA cancer survivor living in Los Angeles. She loves the outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking in the mountains. Maria is lucky to have the support of her partner, Ben, and German Shepherd rescue pup, Tuna.

What was your cancer diagnosis and how was it discovered?

I was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell Lymphoma. I had pain in my lower abdomen and after a few months a large mass appeared. I had an MRI and a 7 cm mass was discovered in my rectus abdominus muscle. After a biopsy, it was discovered to be Lymphoma.

What is the biggest piece of advice you have for newly diagnosed patients?

Please make sure you advocate for yourself! If a doctor or caregiver isn’t listening to you and addressing your needs, speak up.

What is the most important thing you learned from your cancer experience?

I learned to appreciate family and friends even more. I have never felt more loved and supported as I did when I had cancer. People in my life really showed up to help. And for that I am eternally grateful and feel very lucky.

What was the most difficult aspect of organizing your care/community?


I hate asking for help. So being in such a vulnerable position was very difficult. A company like OneVillage would have been perfect for me. It would have allowed me to direct friends to a site with all the things I needed during care. I also found it extremely hard to decide the best course of care. I was faced with two different doctors recommending two different treatments, one more aggressive than the other. So again, a site like OneVillage would have been really helpful to me as I navigated that decision.

What are three words you would use to describe your cancer experience?

Exhausting, Scary, Perseverance

Are there products, services, experiences or physicians that you couldn't be without?

I had terrible mouth sours during chemo so Biotin, smoothies, soups and metal straws were my saviors.

Interested in connecting with Maria?

Follow Maria on Instagram @mariatestani!

More Like This on OneVillage

How Not to Scream at Strangers: Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis

Meet Patient, Scott D.

Meet Survivor, Dr. Jake

Understanding Non Hodgkins Lymphoma Symptoms and Treatment

What is OneVillage?

Whether you're living with cancer or know someone who is, OneVillage is here to help you navigate your new normal. Find relatable contentcare planning tools, and a community that understands, all in a safe environment that is medically approved by our board of independent oncology experts. Questions about how it works? Contact us now!

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What is OneVillage?

Overcome Life Challenges with the help of the OneVillage community. Whether you're facing difficult conditions like major surgery, depression or other obstacles, OneVillage is here for you. Discover relatable content, care planning tools, and community groups filled with valuable advice from people who understand. Whether you're seeking to learn from others' experiences, find support as a caregiver, or access medically approved resources, OneVillage is your go-to platform.

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