Inspirational Stories

I marked my 19th year of being cancer-free from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) on August 16, 2024. From February (on my 57th birthday!) to August 2005, I received seven rounds of R-CHOP, the gold treatment back then in the world and in Serbia where I live. Upon learning of my cancer diagnosis, I went through all the usual stages ― disbelief, denial, not using the C-word for months, acceptance, then defiance. I lost my hair but kept my positive outlook and sense of humor. After all, it does absolutely no good to pity oneself. At that time, I was involved in a local NHL support group. Still, sadly, many people here prefer not to know about diseases in general and choose to turn a blind eye, not even going for preventive or detecting check-ups. Like every other survivor, no matter how much time passes, no check-up goes by that the specter of the NHL is not there sitting with me.

From the time I heard the words, "It's lymphoma," my entire value system rearranged itself. I am no longer worried about “the small stuff” which, of course, comparatively was just about everything. I appreciated my friends and family and waking up each day much more, first of all, like it had been a bad dream, then with hope. I still find it hard to forgive friends who never contacted me directly but got updates through family members, even if I was sitting in the room during telephone conversations. Several of the women of various ages in the ward where I received my treatments have since passed away, and I am still counting my blessings. My advice to anyone diagnosed or undergoing treatment for leukemia or lymphoma is to keep a positive attitude and a sense of humor, no matter how hard it may seem. Laughter sometimes IS the best medicine.