Cancer. The C-word that changed my life forever! The specific diagnosis was non-Hodgkins lymphoma and the protocol consisted of two and a half years of combination chemotherapy with a month of radiation. After hearing the doctor utter those words, all I could hear thereafter was la la la la la as my jaw dropped. It was a deer in the headlights moment. Cancer?! No way; I’m twenty-five years old. They’re wrong! But they weren’t and I had to deal with it. Once I regained control of my articulators I demanded explanations. Why me? How could this happen? What do I do? Am I going to be alright? What, exactly, is non-Hodgkins lymphoma? The questions went on and on. Some of the answers were provided thoroughly, many were vague.
Introduced to cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma
When I was first introduced to cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, I had so many worries, concerns, fear, and visions of worst case scenario. However, as time went on and I began to understand what I needed to do to regain my good health, it wasn’t as bad as I originally imagined. There were many ups and downs and the protocol was extremely difficult. Nevertheless, I have to be honest and say that when I reflect upon my time living with cancer, there were so many great things that happened as a result of the diagnosis, experiences I never would have had, people I never would have met, all of which changed the direction my life was going in, all for the better. As a cancer survivor, I learned the importance of gratitude – never taking anything for granted. As a non-Hodgkins lymphoma survivor, I have learned much about the medical field and the different types of cancer. I’ve learned to accept who I am as opposed to others projected image of who I am. I’ve learned there IS a silver lining while living with cancer and life thereafter as a cancer survivor. And I’ve learned never to give up, whether it’s a cancer diagnoses, or any other challenge life throws my way. I’ve become STRONGER for having lived with cancer.
Living with cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma
These are just a few of the intangibles I’ve learned and lived, as opposed to slapping myself in the forehead yet again and thought, live and learn. Cancer made me stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually. In the beginning I never would have imagined I’d be saying this…I am thankful for having been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and the two and a half years I spent living with cancer.
