Inspirational Stories

My cancer journey started back in 2021 during COVID. I worked in EMS as a paramedic. I started noticing that I was losing weight, coughing up blood, hurting continuously, losing my vision, and sleeping 16 hours a day or more while working in the medical field. I knew I was in grave danger. After several months of enduring the symptoms, I went to my primary doctor and was turned away due to them thinking it was TB. I reached out to my employer and was able to be seen by the health department. They ordered an X-ray that showed a very large mass in my chest. I could feel myself slipping, but I knew I had children to live for. I decided that I did not want to die at home because I knew I was dying, so I attempted to go to work but could not make it due to not being able to breathe. I was taken to the hospital by my wife after returning home. I was seen immediately. They attempted to discharge me, but one of the physicians requested that I be admitted for at least one night, and that was the best thing to ever happen to me in my life. From that point, several tests were done. I was admitted for almost two weeks. I was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). I received one of the strongest chemotherapies because there were no other options for the type of cancer that I had. I was very big into fitness before becoming very ill. I never stopped training. I trained for at least an hour a day during my treatments. They were in shock and amazement that I was able to endure through six cycles of chemotherapy training the way I did. I’m not bragging, I just felt like I needed to fight through this treatment. I lost 50 pounds during treatment, but I still endured. Some of the staff stated that I inspired them to keep moving even though the chemotherapy should have had me bedbound. I was told to stay in bed, but I could not. Something in my spirit would not let me just lie down. They advised me that it would possibly take four to 12 months for me to complete treatment. Through God‘s grace, I was able to do it within three to four months. I am so thankful to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for stepping in and helping with some of my expenses. I can’t thank you enough. It has been three years, and I am still going strong. Thank you so much!