My story began nearly 6 years ago on February 28th when I received the call from my doctor and heard those dreaded words, "You have cancer." A week prior I had gotten a lymph node biopsy for a lump that randomly grew on my neck. As a healthy 19-year-old, cancer was the furthest thing from my mind, and receiving a diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma was simply unbelievable to myself and my family. Hearing this news began a 3-week blur of diagnostic testing, meetings with oncologists, fertility specialists, and surgeons before my first chemotherapy treatment on March 23rd, 2015.
The next 6 months consisted of ABVD treatments every two weeks with blood tests between to make sure my counts were not dropping too low. My hair fell out, I got progressively more tired and fatigued with each treatment, and felt like there was no end in sight from this dreaded disease. I just wanted to be a normal 19-year-old. The one thing that truly got me through this was my team. My family, friends, healthcare team, and anyone who offered support.
After I finished treatment, I found myself lost. What some people do not realize is the mental toll that cancer takes is sometimes greater than the physical one. Even though I had an incredibly supportive team of loved ones, they could not understand what I went through. This is when I became involved with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Joining Team in Training helped connect me with people who understood my "new normal." Training for my first triathlon helped me get back on track mentally and physically with the supportive environment that TNT offered. I keep coming back to the team to be supportive of others on their journey.
Through The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I have been an intern, First Connection volunteer, employee, fundraiser, teammate, and donor. I continue to support this organization because they are funding life-saving research. 25 years ago my diagnosis would have been a deadly one. Today, it is considered one of the most curable cancers because of the incredible advances made in research funded by LLS. I share my story because I know there is more work to be done so we can have more survivors who go on to live long and healthy lives (ones where they run marathons!) like me!
Gianna Carrozza