Inspirational Stories

When I couldn't swallow my morning multivitamin, I knew something was wrong. As a nurse, I immediately opened my mouth and didn't even have to say “Ahhh.” I could see my left tonsil. First, I went to my primary care provider’s (PCP) office, and they tried antibiotics and steroids. Three days later there was no difference. Next was a trip to the ENT doctor who said she wasn't sure what it was, but it needed to be removed. Great, I thought, a tonsillectomy at 60. That was a kid's surgery, not for someone my age! Five days after surgery, the call came; it was non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). As the diagnosis sunk in, I immediately went to the internet to see what I was facing. The first place I went to was The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) site. I wanted patient-centered information; I could read the medical literature later.

I read both information from the LLS website, which provided me the practical how to get through this and what I needed to do, and from the medical literature, which provided me the information on what course of treatment to take. 

Cycling was my sanity savior throughout the journey. My friends were supportive, stayed with me when I was too weak to push myself, and slowed down to accommodate me during chemotherapy. I missed a total of two weekends riding during the course of treatment, and I am so grateful for my cycling community! So, what better way to celebrate being cancer-free than to cycle and raise awareness and money for the LLS?!

I want to push myself to ride 500 miles in the month of August toward the goal of raising awareness and funding for LLS services and research.

LLS was there when I needed it, and I want to make sure it's there for others as well. Thank you, LLS, for the great work you are doing, and thank you for being there when I needed it the most.