i've been in remission for ten years, today.In August of 1998 I discovered a painless lump, about the size of a golf ball, just above my clavicle on the right side. My pediatrician sent me to a specialist who performed a needle biopsy and diagnosed me with Cat-scratch fever. When after six weeks the lump had not begun to shrink, I returned to the specialist and was given the option to let the lump be (and avoid a scar) or have the lump removed. I opted for the latter and the specialist performed the surgery with local anesthesia in late November. My mom received a frantic call from his office a few days later. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease on December 4, 1998 at age 16.
I was referred to Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford where subsequent biopsies and tests showed that I had nodular sclerosing stage II Hodgkin’s, with a mass of tumors in my lymph system concentrated in my chest. I opted to participate in a clinical trial (read about the study here. incidentally, i was one of those that received 25Gy radiation and i take issue with some of the findings based on my own experiences. nonetheless, i'm proud to be a part of the data.) and my treatment included 4 cycles (2 rounds each) of chemotherapy and 3 weeks of radiation. Due to complications during my treatment, a PICC line was placed in my left arm and subsequently a Hickman catheter was placed into my chest. I went into remission on June 23, 1999.
Since the completion of my treatment I have been diagnosed to hypothyroidism due to damage to my thyroid from radiation, peripheral neuropathy from chemo, learning disabilities that include short-term memory loss, clinical depression, and ongoing fatigue. Although I will be monitored for the rest of my life for secondary cancers and heart problems, this summer marks 10 years in remission and 5 years cured!
In the years following my diagnosis I have been busy. In 2005 I graduated cum laude from Santa Clara University with a BS in Psychology. Today I own my own organic chocolate company, Snake & Butterfly, which is experiencing great success. Additionally, I have two beautiful children, a daughter, Parker, who is five and a son, Lorenzo, who will be three in July. I love to surf, blog, read, and spend time with my family and friends. Despite my busy schedule, I have completed two marathons and a half marathon with TNT: GO TEAM!
please find a way to donate to your favorite charity. mine is the leukemia and lymphoma society...