Early symptoms: “I first noticed a bump behind my collarbone. At the time, I was preparing for a race, so I left it alone for about a month. Eventually, I had it checked out and during my ultrasound appointment, the radiologist said that he is going to recommend a CT scan and a biopsy “because young people get lymphoma too”. I thought to myself – is this how a medical professional should be having this conversation with me, but before I could say those words out loud, the radiologist said his goodbye and left the room.”
Cancer happens for a reason? “No one knows why cancer happens, it just does. It’s the luck of the draw. Before cancer, I was active and healthy, so it was frustrating to watch people my age treat their bodies poorly and not have cancer. I wasn’t angry, I needed to stay positive to get through this experience.”
Life, interrupted: “The best part about being in your 20s is the independence that comes from having financial freedom. When I was diagnosed, I went on long-term disability and there was a waiting period during which I had to accept some financial help from my parents. That was tough for me.”
Road to recovery: “I started chemotherapy treatments immediately and within six months, I was in the clear. It was almost better than I had expected it to be. I was just bald.”
Personal boundaries: “In between treatments, I was well enough to fly home to see my family. A woman sitting next to me asked whether I was in treatment. She wanted to know virtually everything. Her blatant disregard for personal boundaries made me feel uncomfortable.”
On life after cancer: “My big frustration with this experience is that other people want to wrap it up in a nice bow and refer to it as my cancer journey. I don’t want to be defined by cancer because I am so much more than that. I want to be me.”
Type of Cancer: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Diagnosed at age: 28