A day before my 29th birthday, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma stage IV. No one expects a cancer diagnosis, especially when you’re young. It was a game changer for the rest of my life.
I went through a grueling six months of ABVD chemo, slipping into semi-conscious living, and cried a lot. The side effects and the medications were the hardest. I always tended to think of myself as a strong person, but nothing can prepare you or your loved ones for being deathly ill. At times, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I subsequently lost my job, my boyfriend, and the place I was living, so I moved in to my parent’s house.
It has now been five years in remission and more than three years at Subaru and I love it! I was excited to work with LLS last June 2016 for the Subaru Loves to Care campaign. LLS partnered with Subaru retailers across the U.S. to provide blankets and messages of hope to patients undergoing cancer treatment at local hospitals and treatment centers.
My life is not what I expected, I thought I would follow the path that so many of my friends have with the house and kids. Although that is not my path, I am grateful to be living. Whatever my path, I am happy knowing this is where I am meant to be right now.
Cathy
Lymphoma Survivor
