Search Results
Eva
In 2014, as a 19-year-old sophomore in college, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). After two years of suffering from a mystery illness, I finally had answers; my itchy feet, night sweats, frequent infections, and shooting pain all snapped into place with a cancer diagnosis. I called all of my closest friends and packed my bags. I’d moved 3,000 miles for college, and traveled all the way back home — Los Angeles to Boston — for treatment. Next up would be six months of ABVD chemotherapy, known to be very effective and very unpleasant.
Randall
I am a 36-year survivor of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In 1987, I went through six months of chemo, had one month off, then went through 25 straight days of radiation. It is an amazing story, one which I may write about when I retire in about 12-16 months.
My son wasn't even two yet when I started treatments. Today he is 38 and has the two cutest, little girls a “Poppop” could ask for. After the chemo, they told me there was a 70% chance I'd be sterile from the treatment. We found out my wife was pregnant in December 1989. My daughter was born in August 1990.
Cristina
My story begins in October of 2018. I had recently graduated from college, moved away from home for the first time, settled into my own apartment, and started a full-time job. I felt like I was on the verge of greatness with all of these new and exciting beginnings in my life. I didn't know that I was about to have another massive beginning... the beginning of my battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was sitting at a cancer fundraiser dinner, anxiously twirling the spaghetti on my plate. I had a gut wrenching feeling in my chest that something was wrong.
Alison
My story began in the summer of 2012. My cancer-fighting hero, who happens to be my father in law, Dave Warner, was diagnosed that July. Not only is he my father in law, but I call him Dad, because that is exactly what he is. In June 2012, Dad started to notice a large lymph node that was swollen in his groin. My immediate reaction was “Go to the doctor and get antibiotics. I'm sure it's just an infected lymph node that amoxicillin can clear up! Right??” Wrong. Never did I expect the next step to be a biopsy to see if it was cance
Lisa
As a new graduate with a master’s degree in psychology, I, among many others, am applying to jobs out in the 'real world.' Recently, one of the job applications asked me to describe myself in three words. My answer consisted of adjectives such as determined, capable and diligent. The one word that best describes me though is one I did not say, and that is survivor.
Emad
After six weeks of experiencing excruciating pain, I was diagnosed with enlarged B-cell stage 4 gastric lymphoma in July 2016. My oncologist in Tarzana, CA was connected to a lead doctor in City of Hope and that COH doctor advised her to send my biopsy for further testing to see if it was double mutated. The test results came positive and my cancer cells had double mutated. This meant that my body would’ve not responded to regular chemotherapy of one day every three weeks.
Cathy
I had blood cancer and for that, I’m lucky. I’m not being facetious, I really believe I’m lucky. The doctors told me that Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is highly treatable and this is the cancer to have if you’re going to get cancer. But that’s not the only reason why I’m lucky. The very first philanthropic effort that I did with my BFF was when we were 17 years old and allowed to donate blood. This is one of the first times I realized I was lucky. By giving blood I could give the gift of life. It’s something I also had in common with my husband who is an avid blood donor.
Janet
My caregiver journey began in 2005, when my husband found a lump on his neck and was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After being admitted to the hospital for nine rounds of chemotherapy, he went into remission.
Jeff & Melanie
My wife, Melanie and I had always been pretty healthy. We exercised, tried to eat right and discovered the value of meditation. But things changed in 2018.
Melanie had developed a cough that just wouldn't go away. She had it for months. And then she discovered a lump near her collarbone. Tests revealed on Sept. 6, 2018, that the lump was Hodgkin lymphoma and it was present in several other lymph nodes. She began a months-long treatment regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. It wasn't easy.
Other Disease Studies
Another type of study that blood cancer patients and their relatives can participate in is a nontherapeutic study. Nontherapeutic studies aren't considered clinical trials because they don't involve the study of new diagnostics or treatments for diseases. Instead, they're developed to gain a better understanding of disease-incidence patterns or the consequences of specific treatments for a specific disease.
In all cases, you should be asked to sign a consent form that defines the study's purpose and what's expected from the participants.
Follow-Up Care
Click here for information about follow-up care, including what to expect, long-term and late effects of treatment, survivorship clinics, and other resources such as The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines.
Use the Survivorship Workbook to collect all the important information you need throughout diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care and long-term management of a blood cancer.
Splenectomy
The spleen is an organ on the left side of the body, near the stomach. CLL cells can collect in the spleen, causing it to become enlarged. Sometimes, the spleen becomes so large that it presses on nearby organs, causing pain. Also, an enlarged spleen may lower a person’s blood cell counts to dangerous levels. An operation to remove the spleen is called a splenectomy. Splenectomy is helpful for select patients. The operation may reduce pain and help improve blood counts.
Side Effects
The side effects of treatment for essential thrombocythemia (ET) will depend on many factors, including the type of treatment and dosage, the age of the patient and coexisting medical conditions.
Management of side effects is important. Patients should discuss any concerns about side effects with their doctor. Most side effects are temporary and resolve when treatment is completed
Treatment Outcomes
Among patients with MF, the prognosis (meaning the likely outcome of the disease) varies widely. Each patient’s risk factors are evaluated individually to determine their prognosis. However, some people with MF may survive for decades following their diagnosis.
It is important to know that outcome data can show how groups of people with MF responded to treatment in the past, but it cannot always determine how any particular person will respond. For these reasons, patients are advised to discuss information about survival with their doctors.
Joshua
My name is Joshua. I was born and raised in South Florida and moved to Oregon after high school 8 years ago. I can’t say that I had a difficult childhood growing up just difficult circumstances that were challenges to overcome. I am what most people would consider an introverted type of personality, and while I was raised in a home with very caring parents and sisters, I’ve just always found it difficult to fit in, especially once I got to high school. I’m tall, at almost 6 feet, and very smart, always in advanced placement classes.
Mackenzie
I am a recipient of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) 2022-2023 Dreamers and Doers Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors.
I was initially diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at age 4, and after a successful two years of treatment, I went into remission. Unfortunately, at age 8, I relapsed. I am now 19 years old and a sophomore at McDaniel College. I am majoring in biology. I’m also a part of the honors program, and I play NCAA Division III Tennis.
Cory
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in February 2022. I'm an avid skateboarder, artist, and assistant chef. All this past year, I underwent chemotherapy every two weeks, and one year later, I am now cancer-free.
I’m looking to use my gift and help others now. I've started a project called "canvas4cancer" to offer detailed art pieces, art therapy, and classes, along with other related goals, all non-profit. Any proceeds go toward the purchase of more canvases for patients!
Lily
Hello, my name is Lily and I am 14 years old. In November of 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). At the beginning, I was completely shocked because there was no sign that anything was wrong with my health. It was the hardest news I’ve ever heard in my life. The only thing that I was worried about was if I was going to die or if I was going to lose my hair I am now 2 cycles into my chemotherapy.
Jonathan
It was July of last year, I had a cold I was getting over and thought I had a sinus infection. I went to an ENT who told me everything was okay. Days later I had swelling in my gums and went to a dentist. They took two X-rays and didn't like what they saw and sent me to an oral surgeon. He did a CAT scan and saw major bone loss. He proceeded to do a biopsy, and days later I had cancer. It turned out to be large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The pathology took a long time, and I was literally dying waiting to get treatment. It was aggressive and stage 4. Life-changing.
David
My name is David, and I am a personal trainer/sports performance coach. I have had the privilege of working with youth athlete Zac in the gym for the past couple of years. Last year Zac was diagnosed with leukemia, which was very heartbreaking for me to hear. However, I have been extremely touched and inspired by Zac and his fighting mentality and positive spirit as he has battled cancer. He has made it a priority to continue exercising while fighting something greater than himself.
Doug
In July 2014, my defibrillator fired while I was at a diner. Upon testing at the hospital I found out I have acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Much to my surprise, it was discovered by a simple blood test.
Joyce
We have been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) since Steve's diagnosis with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in May of 2002. Steve's CML continues to be successfully treated with a drug called Gleevec, which was funded in part by LLS. This year we celebrated his 15 years of remission from CML by taking a trip to Florida with family. Thank God for survivorship AND cancer research!
Joshua
I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in March 2014, had chemotherapy treatments for six months and was found to be in full remission by October 2014.
I continue treatments every 60 days at the Florida Cancer Center in Gainesville, FL with my doctor, Dr. Lucio Gordan. This summer, between treatments, I hiked the 486-mile Colorado Trail and my daughter set up a GoFundMe site to raise money for LLS. I completed the hike in 38 days and found it to be a fantastic adventure.
Kymani
In December 2017 only a couple days after his 10th birthday Kymani Davis was diagnosed with Non- Hodgkins Lymphoma with a mass on his chest. This was very heartbreaking for Kymani and his family as hearing the word "cancer" for your loved one is very terrifying. With the support and encouragement from his mom and family, Kymani remained hopeful. His faith in God was very important during this journey. He was treated at the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. After two chemotherapy cycles, his lymph nodes were shrunken to half their sizes.
Hannah
As a busy college student, Hannah is focused on attending her business and art classes - a very different world than the cancer one she was a part of just a few short years ago. At 13 years old, Hannah was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma and went on to battle it successfully a second time.