Adults

I was 13 years old when I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). That was in 1997, and I can now proudly say I’ve been cancer-free for 21 years! But being a 21-year cancer survivor comes with a lifelong diagnosis and long-term effects.

While I was recovering from my stem cell transplant, I was at home with my then 5-year-old daughter full time. She wasn't able to attend preschool due to the pandemic and my being immunocompromised. We were running out of things to do at the house, and so on a whim, I decided to buy an Apple pencil for my iPad. I have always been creative and crafty, but I wouldn't call myself an artist.

Our church choir had put on a big Easter program in 2002, lots of practices and multiple performances. After the fact, several, including me, came down with an upper respiratory infection. All my friends got better, but I didn’t. Then I started having low energy to the point that I couldn’t do my daily workouts. Next came the appearance of big, ugly bruises on my legs.