The Scariest Day of My Life
Courtney is a Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
Just a few months after moving from Illinois to Kansas to start graduate school, I made a doctor’s appointment due to chest pain and shortness of breath that I had chalked up as stress. What I thought would be a 30-minute drop-in turned into additional scans and the scariest day of my life.
When my doctor informed me of the grapefruit-sized tumor pressing on my heart and lung, I was in pure shock. I was admitted to the hospital the same day. One week later, after dozens of tests, I was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Although I had had enough needles and medicine at that point, it was only the very beginning of a journey to beat my cancer.
My hematologist informed me that it would take six rounds of chemotherapy and possible radiation in order to do so. I would lose my hair. I would feel fatigued and nauseous for six months. My fertility would be threatened. Of everything I was about to endure, I worried about my fertility the most. As a young single woman with no children, I felt depressed about the possibility that I would never have children with my future husband. Although I had the option to freeze my eggs for future use, this option was very expensive. When I was told that LIVESTRONG could help me with the financial burden of preserving my fertility, I felt relieved and so blessed to know an organization was out there helping me along in my battle.
Today I stand six months cancer-free, thanks to God, my family, close friends, medical team, and LIVESTRONG. I now spend my time in graduate school, raising money for cancer research, and living each day to the fullest. Although life is mostly back to “normal”, my family and I are left with lessons learned and perspectives changed. Although my cancer journey was the toughest experience of my life, I wouldn’t change it. I have met new people, learned new things, and have come to appreciate life and my health that much more.
Courtney, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor
If you have been diagnosed with cancer, talk to your doctor as soon as possible about the risks to your fertility. Visit our website at LIVESTRONG.org/Fertility or call 855.220.7777 to find out how LIVESTRONG can help.
