When I was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), I was only 26 years old. Blood Cancer United was one of the first organizations I found with the information I was looking for. I was on their website nearly every day when I saw that they would be hosting the first Blood Cancer Conference in Georgia that summer. Going to the conference gave me so much inspiration and hope for my own fight. I knew I didn't have the energy to participate in Team In Training (TNT), so I signed up to be a general office volunteer. That was one of the best decisions I made in my cancer care.
The office work got me out of the house for a couple of hours a day so I could stay active and have something to look forward to. The entire office staff was so welcoming. They showed me so much genuine support when they knew I had a treatment day coming up. I was opened up to many more volunteer opportunities that took me outside of the office and let me connect with so many other survivors.
My volunteer days in the office had to come to an end when my first stem cell transplant was planned. I was in the hospital for three months in a strict post-transplant quarantine, but there wasn't a day that went by without some sort of contact from the Blood Cancer United office. It came in all forms ― hospital visits, balloons, social media posts, and personal video messages. Even years later, Blood Cancer United has continued to give me the resources to get through my second transplant to remission to survivorship.
Although I have moved farther away from the office, I continue to support the organization that has supported me throughout these 6+ years. Luckily, I've been able to continue making contacts through the First Connection Program, especially with other young adult cancer survivors. I am an annual fundraiser for Light The Night (LTN) and was lucky enough to share my survivor story on stage in front of thousands of people.
Cancer has played a major role in my life, but it has not defined my life. Two days after my chemo port placement, I was still able to walk across the stage at graduation to receive my Masters of Public Administration at the University of Georgia. I have been able to use my degree in my current work in disaster management. I met my now-husband on an online dating app. He proposed to me the day after we found out I was in remission. Although we spent the first half of our engagement separated by my hospitalization and recovery from my second stem cell transplant, we were able to plan a magical, fall wedding in 2019. These are all things I never thought would be possible after cancer.
I have learned that the effects of cancer―emotionally, mentally, and physically―are something that I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Every day there still seems to be a new obstacle. But I look back on everything I have become since my diagnosis, and I know that I can do it with my entire support system by my side. My journey only reminds me that there are many paths in life, and no matter which way I go, I will always be able to spread a message of love and positivity.
Stephenie
Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
