Inspirational Stories

In April 2023, I went to the doctor for an MRI for what I thought was a torn meniscus in my left knee. Unfortunately, that MRI showed that there was a growth on my left femur. After two full months of testing, surgery, and some more testing, I was officially diagnosed with primary lymphoma of the bone (PLB). This type of lymphoma is pretty rare, so I immediately turned to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) for resources and guidance on how to navigate the scariest time of my life. The next month of my life was a whirlwind. I quickly went through the IVF process to ensure that I have a chance of having a family in the future, met with my oncologist to come up with my treatment plan, and checked off all the other life admin tasks to get ready to start the process. In June, I was able to start R-CHOP chemotherapy. This past week, I completed my sixth and final round of treatment and got to ring that chemo bell! The next step is a few weeks of radiation, and then I should hopefully be able to put this challenging chapter behind me! I have been so fortunate to have the best support system to carry me through this process. My partner Connor, our family, and friends have all been there to lift me up on my toughest days. I was lucky to receive a favorable prognosis which also kept me motivated throughout the journey. I was able to still work full-time during chemo and still enjoyed all my favorite activities such as biking and pickleball. My motto from the start has been, "Life is tough, but so are we." This simple phrase kept me focused and present to overcome a challenge I never thought I would have to tackle in my mid-20s.