Inspirational Stories

I've been waiting for that moment for six months, since the day the doctors told me I had to do chemo to treat my Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in February 2023. From constant ER visits, going through multiple thoracentesis, concerning symptoms, and a biopsy on the neck due to a visible lump, I finally got the answer to what had been (at the time) weighing so heavily on my shoulders. I had cancer. I was in a state of shock. This was all very new to me, and to be honest, it took me a while to process and accept the new change I had to endure. I wasn't ready whatsoever, but I eventually put my mind to it, and I did it. I managed to push through even when I felt like giving up on my worst days. My diagnosis brought out a fight in me that I didn't even know existed. I refused to ask about the staging of my cancer. I thought to myself that it made no difference what the stage was because, regardless, I was going to beat it. Surgeries, tumors, cancer, chemotherapy ― it's all terrifying. I continuously reminded myself that regardless of what life threw at me, to remain strong. I knew it was temporary, and better days were around the corner. I learned that once I became mentally stronger, I also became physically stronger. To anyone who is fighting, hang in there. Try your absolute best to appreciate the highs and combat the lows. To anyone who knows someone who's fighting, check on them, and let them know you're thinking of them. To every single person who reached out to me during this time, you helped me put up this fight. Here's to being in remission.