I’ve never thought of sharing my story until friends encouraged me to, hoping it might help others know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
In 2012, I was very ill for months. I was unable to walk more than a few steps without stopping to catch my breath, I had to sleep upright because I was unable to breathe lying down, and I was losing a significant amount of weight. I continued to work, convinced that I could push through, until one day I knew I could no longer go on. My body had completely broken down.
I went to the emergency room and was immediately admitted. After 10 days and numerous tests, I was finally diagnosed with nodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). At this point, I was already in a wheelchair and on oxygen. The fluid that had accumulated in my body was not draining because of the massive amount of enlarged lymph nodes. I had pleural effusions and had to undergo several thoracenteses and eventually have a drain placed.
Treatment began immediately, and I was released from the hospital to continue treatment as an outpatient. Unfortunately, my body was not responding. Still in a wheelchair and on oxygen, I continued to retain fluid, so my treatment was switched in the hope of shrinking the lymph nodes. After three months of treatment, the fluid finally drained. I was taken off oxygen and was able to walk on my own again.
The following month, I returned to work and continued my remaining treatments for another three months. I finally reached remission after six months.
I remained in remission for 10 years before I relapsed in 2022. This time, I knew the signs and symptoms and immediately went through the process again. My diagnosis changed somewhat, with the addition of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and ocular lymphoma (OL). After treatment, I can gratefully say that I am in remission and continue to be monitored by my team.
I still face many challenges, but I consider myself blessed to have the support of friends, family, and coworkers who have helped me through some of my hardest times.
Now, I devote my time to helping others navigate the challenges and emotions that come with dealing with cancer. In the 14 years that I’ve had lymphoma, treatments have come a long way. Amazing new treatments are emerging every day, and I’m praying for a cure so that people can live healthy, happy, and stress-free lives.
Cancer takes so much away from us, but it also teaches us a lot.
There is always hope.
Michelle
nodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)
