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| Title: |
Mystery to Cancer at 30
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| Public Name: |
Kristi
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| Your Story: |
On January 28the 2016 I received the call I had been quietly suspecting for nearly 2 years of unexplained illness and it started with, "Kristi this is going to be a difficult conversation." I was told that a recent biopsy I had on a lymphnode came back showing malignant cells and is most likely Hodgkins Lymphoma. This was a Wednesday and my doctor had an appointment set up for that Friday with an oncologist. This kicked off the start of formal diagnosis and staging that involves surgery, extensive blood work, full pulmonology and cardiac workup, scans and another appointment with the surgeon and oncologist. Oh and did I forget to mention that at 30 years old, with no kids, you get to contemplate your future fertility as chemo was definitely happening and it can result in infertility?! This was all within 7 days! The culmination of this came at the results appointment where Hodgkins Lymphoma, a rare blood cancer, was the final diagnosis and the tests showed it was stage 4 involving over 40% of my lymphnodes, my lungs, my sternum, my pelvis and spine. My scan looked like a glowing Christmas tree. I sat numb, trying to not upset my mom, and listened as they started telling me about my upcoming 6 months of chemo and prognosis. If I responded well to the initial treatment it is very effective but there was a chance this wouldn't respond and we would then switch to a new cocktail that involved moving to Rochester and receiving intense treatment 5 days per week...what I referred to as "scary chemo" as if the other was something to look forward to! But I began, pushed through the exhaustion and nausea while working 4 days a week- made it through the months and midpoint tests showed "excellent response" to the "non-scary chemo" and settled in for the rest. I learned how a simple cold landed me in and out of doctors offices for a week and what it's like to melt into the couch for an entire weekend. I also learned the love of people around me and support. My last chemo treatment was on July 12th and I received a clean scan on August 10th! As any cancer patient or survivor will tell you that point is the start of figuring out your new life. I'm still working through the reality of being a cancer survivor at 30 and don't quite know what that looks like in the long-term but I'm ready to find out! |
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