I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) about a month and a half ago at the age of 26. This was my first year out of nursing school; I had just landed my dream job, and I was in the midst of planning my wedding. This was supposed to be “my year” to enjoy my 20s finally.
Getting diagnosed was a huge shock to me, my friends, and my family. I will be transparent and say the hardest part so far is navigating the financial hardships. I’m so lucky that Blood Cancer United has provided with me with an abundance of resources.
Being a nurse practitioner definitely gave me the advantage of early cancer recognition that others may not have, just due to my educational background about lymphoma. My Oura ring provided me with some pretty alarming biometric data such as a consistently elevated basal body temp, abnormal HRV, poor sleep quality, etc. Smart health trackers are great tools to have, but that being said, nothing can replace the need for a medical professional and hands-on medical care.
I actually already knew about Blood Cancer United from when I was much younger. I don’t know if you remember these charts that would be in restaurants that you could put quarters in to donate to Blood Cancer United! After being diagnosed, I was desperate for any and all resources. I don’t know anyone my age personally who has been diagnosed with cancer, so this was uncharted territory for me. I was able to get the $4,000 grant from Blood Cancer United, which has been life-changing. My oncologist's office has used that money to help relieve the financial strain of a lot of different aspects for me including my Sancuso patch for nausea that was $1,300 WITH insurance.
I have also utilized resources on the website for nutrition recommendations and to gain a deeper understanding of what I can expect to happen to my body. I was even able to obtain a headscarf from an organization affiliated with Blood Cancer United called Hope Scarves. I’m so lucky that I’m not alone in this journey, I’ve made friends virtually through TikTok and Reddit who are going through the same experiences as me, and it has made it so much less lonely. Maintaining a positive mindset is crucial because it’s the one thing you can control. My husband, friends, and family have been here for me every step of the way, and I have allowed myself to lean on them for support. Everyone has rallied around me to make sure that I always have a chemo buddy and nutrition for my body such as bone broths, teas, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Taking care of your body between treatments is paramount! I’m so blessed that I’m a young adult because my body is much more capable of fighting.
I had never heard of Light The Night (LTN) before becoming involved with Blood Cancer United, but I've already looked up when the next local Light The Night event will be later this year, and I plan on attending with my loved ones. What a great cause. I’m so grateful for all the assistance Blood Cancer United has provided me. My advice to other survivors is to remind yourselves that it’s okay to ask for help! Often, your loved ones simply want to help in any way they can, and allowing them to assist with tasks makes them feel more purposeful as well.
I’m still very early in my treatment, but I'm choosing to remain as positive as possible. Keeping the right mindset makes the most significant difference in my quality of life. I’m so grateful for all the love and support I've received from everyone who's rooting for me!
Nikki
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
