I found out in February 2024 that I had stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at the age of 23. I could barely walk as my feet were swollen from the lymphedema. My body was tender and in a constant state of fatigue, waking up as if I had just run a marathon. Night sweats, nausea, lung infections, painful testing, it felt like I was going through it all. I lost my job as a restaurant manager. My girlfriend at the time said it was too overwhelming and left as well. I was completely alone.
My condition and hospitalization were known to many others, but only two people, my high school best friends, came to visit me. It was a very lonely and trying time. I went through 12 awful chemotherapy sessions and miraculously made it through with the help of the amazing team at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
This experience has been a blessing in disguise. I needed a job where I wasn’t on my feet as much, and I started working in vehicle sales. I have also been able to work on my personal business and have been put on a great path that would have never happened had I not gone through this. It’s made me stronger, more grateful, and more conscious of my use of time. Very bittersweet experience, but I made it through, and for that I am thankful.
Adam
stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
