I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) at 28 years old. HL is an aggressive blood cancer that spreads throughout the lymphatic system.
Two years before my diagnosis, I experienced acute renal failure that had me in the hospital for a week during the peak of COVID. Doctors could not find a reason why this happened.
Then, six months leading up to my cancer diagnosis, I experienced multiple symptoms that doctors convinced me were due to eczema, asthma, and stress. It wasn’t until the lymph nodes on my neck and under my arm swelled to the size of golf balls that doctors finally started conducting tests for cancer. We are grateful that it was caught, but it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for me and my family.
Because of my diagnosis, I abruptly left my life, home, and multiple jobs in Los Angeles to move in with my family while I complete my chemo treatments. However, my medical expenses and debt have been piling up, and depending on the outcome of treatment, I could very well be unable to return to work for at least another year, possibly longer.
Nevin
stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
