My name is Payton, and I’m a young mom and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivor. I was diagnosed when my baby was just two months old, a time when I was still breastfeeding, healing, and trying to understand who I was as a new mother. Instead of easing into that tender season, I was suddenly pulled out of it and thrown into scans, biopsies, and the overwhelming reality of cancer.
Before all of this, running was my outlet. It made me feel strong, grounded, and like myself. Being diagnosed felt like my entire world shifted overnight, but it never took away my determination to fight. I joined a clinical trial for treatment, hoping not only to save my own life but to help move research forward for others who will face HL after me.
Chemo while caring for a baby was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I lost my hair, my energy, and a lot of the normal experiences new moms expect, but I never lost my hope. I chose to share my journey honestly, even the raw and scary parts, so that anyone walking a similar path would feel less alone.
I just finished my last cycle of treatment in December 2025, and I’m stepping into this next chapter with gratitude and a stronger sense of who I am. Now, I’m passionate about supporting others, especially young women and new moms who feel overwhelmed or overlooked in the cancer space. Everyone deserves compassionate care, answers to their questions, and space to feel everything they’re going through.
Hodgkin lymphoma changed my life, but it didn’t break me. I’m working my way back to running, hoping to return not just to my old self but to someone even better and stronger.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that healing takes time, hope is worth holding onto, and support makes all the difference.
Payton
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
