Inspirational Stories

Life is unpredictable! I started becoming sick in February 2020. My condition was worsening day by day with no symptoms besides a very bad cough that lasted for a month. I was 23 and three months into my marriage when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in October 2020. I am from a country where the healthcare system is broken. My CT scan showed a 6.5 cm. lump in my chest (mediastinal lymph nodes), and it was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis in my country. I started and continued taking TB medications for six months straight. I only came to know that my condition was getting worse when I felt a lump on my neck right behind the collarbone. I then began to understand something was not okay with my body. I went to my neighboring country (India)in the hope of finding better treatment. There the PET scan report showed a lump on my neck/chest (7.5 cm. after the delayed treatment), and stomach making my cancer stage 3. They took out the lump that was on my neck to perform a biopsy and IHC which later confirmed HL.

After the confirmation of HL, a PICC Line was inserted in my left arm for chemotherapy. The oncologist planned for six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy for six months (one cycle = two rounds of chemotherapy). I dealt with a lot of side effects, some of which I don't even remember now. The most difficult side effect to deal with was hair loss. There's no doubt cancer breaks you down physically, mentally, and emotionally, but it also teaches you so many things about life. You will understand what life is and how you never really cared about it.

Early detection is very important to take control of this disease. Please don't ignore any signs and symptoms. And if you're going through this tough time, have faith in God, keep your hopes high, and be determined. Fight this battle like a hero, and you will surely see a light at the end of the tunnel.

After six cycles of chemotherapy, I'm in remission now.

Let's raise awareness together from different parts of the world.

Let's unite against this disease and for our fighters out there.