It all started with pain in my shoulder. A new mom, sleepless nights, and an achy shoulder. My daughter was 4½ months old, and I had just had my gallbladder out due to gallstones (very typical after childbirth). This particular day, I sat down to do my makeup and rubbed my shoulder because I was in so much pain. As I was rubbing my shoulder, I felt a small lump above my collarbone. My first thought: it’s small; it’s fine. My second thought was, I have a baby now; I need to take this seriously. I thought I might have had an infection from my gallbladder being removed. It was a Friday, and I called my primary to schedule an appointment for Monday. I hid this finding from my husband, family, and friends. I didn’t want to worry them. I told my husband I was going to the doctor for my shoulder. He insisted on coming; that is when he found out about the lump (when I was telling the doctor).
Fast forward six weeks. Six weeks of fear, sleepless nights, tears, ultrasounds, CT scans, a PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, fine-needle biopsy, and an invasive neck biopsy. We finally had answers. I was diagnosed with stage 2 non-bulky Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). I knew I had a fight ahead of me, but I knew the fight in me was stronger than this disease.
As a new mom, I knew I had to take care of my new baby. She was my world. My husband was my rock through it all. He was truly my guiding light and an angel through the dark times. I saw the fear in his eyes, and I wish I could have taken that pain away.
I want to share my story to raise awareness for blood cancer and to be an advocate for new moms who are recently diagnosed. Being a new mom adds a new layer of fear of the unknown. I went through the IVF journey after being diagnosed as well. I want anyone struggling to know they are not alone. It’s a fight that no one should do alone. I was fortunate to have an army behind me. Some days are really hard, but with time, it does get better.
I am now in remission. Some days are still hard, mentally and physically, but I am HERE.
I am grateful for my husband, my daughter, and my family and friends. I am also grateful for modern medicine that saved my life and the countless nurses and doctors who not only saved me but believed in me and took the best care of me.
I made it to 38. Thirty-eight is going to be great.
I shared this on World Cancer Day 2025, and I meant every word.
Today I celebrate 298 days in remission
To my incredible husband, my rock, thank you for saving my life. I am here because of you. I am not sure I will ever have the words to show how grateful I truly am.
To Siena, you saved me in ways you will never know. I am so beyond lucky that you were able to carry me through.
To my family and friends, we were in this together. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Your love and support kept me going.
To my care team family, you didn’t just provide kindness, love, and care, you saved my life, and I will carry that with me forever.
Because of all of you, I am HERE to celebrate my remission.
Maria
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
