On April 9th, 2024, I lost my loving husband, Dylan, to Stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). He was only 26 years old—far too young—leaving behind a beautiful son, his parents, two sisters, myself, and an entire family who adored him.
Before his diagnosis, Dylan was the definition of life and light. He was filled with energy, laughter, and endless dreams. He had the biggest plans for his future and was determined to live each day to the fullest. For us, life was just beginning to feel “perfect.” We were deeply in love, excited for what the future held, and comforted by the security of the life we were building together. Dylan carried a sense of joy that radiated onto everyone around him, and his optimism was contagious.
Everything changed the day he was diagnosed. What once felt like a beautiful, unfolding story suddenly became filled with fear and uncertainty. We watched the hope and happiness fade little by little as Dylan entered into this new and painful chapter, though he fought with strength and courage that still leaves me in awe. Just 31 days after hearing those devastating words, and only 10 days after beginning his first round of chemotherapy, the unimaginable happened—we lost Dylan. It was sudden, heartbreaking, and something none of us were prepared for, least of all Dylan himself.
Although his time here was far too short, Dylan’s impact was immeasurable. He left behind more love, laughter, and inspiration in 26 years than many do in a lifetime. My mission now is to keep his memory alive—to share his story, to honor the beautiful person he was, and to ensure that his spirit continues to guide and inspire, especially for our family. Dylan deserves to be remembered not only for the tragedy of his loss, but for the joy he brought, the dreams he carried, and the immense love he gave so effortlessly to those that meant the most to him.
My main wish is to one day be reunited with him and never let him go. I hope he knows how deeply I love him and how much I miss him. We all love and miss him more than words can ever express, and his presence will forever live in our hearts.
Cassandra
Family member and caregiver
