Inspirational Stories

My mother, Joy, was diagnosed in 2015 with follicular lymphoma (FL) in her stomach. She went into remission after chemo treatment. Six months later, it came back, this time more aggressive and on the outside of her organs. They did CHOP chemo and then a bone marrow transplant. She went into remission for a second time. Eight months later, she wasn't feeling spectacular, so we took her back to the doctor. She was diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The mass was in her uterus and had grown so fast and massive that it blasted through her bladder. They had to do a hysterectomy and remove 80% of her bladder. At that point, she was very weak and had trouble bouncing back. The lymphoma spread, and the doctors gave her three months. She passed away within three weeks. The day before she passed, a ladybug kept flying on and off her bedroom window. The next morning after she had passed and the coroner came and took her to the funeral home, my siblings and I were walking to our cars, and ladybugs were flying all around us. Later, we did some research, and ladybugs are a sign of a motherly figure. I have never forgotten that. I do Light The Night (LTN) every year in memory of her and to walk with people who have been in a similar situation as me. Christina Bold is one of the amazing leaders for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) who has always been so encouraging and supportive to me.