I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at the end of April of this year. On April 9th I went to the ER with trouble breathing and after a CAT scan they saw a large mass pressing on my heart and lung. At the time the they were unsure of a diagnosis. Because I was having such trouble breathing I was immediately hospitalized at St Charles. I had 3 biopsies in the span of 9 days. One was no invasive but came back I conclusive. So I had a second one that was a surgery that also came back inconclusive. And then I had biopsy number three at St Charles. Sense I had already had 2 inconclusive biopsies they were worried since my breathing was still cause for concern as well as the placement and size of the mass (softball size) my my doctor felt it was best for me to go to OHSU since they had more resources to help me. I was airlifted in the middle of the night on April 18th. At OHSU I was seen my many doctors and specialist and getting all types of test done. I was terrified not having a diagnosis and my future being unclear. I’m so grateful for all the support I received from friends, family and strangers during that time. On April 25th I got my diagnosis of Hodgkins Lymphoma Stage 2. And received my first round of chemo that day. I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis. However now I had a whole new challenge of battling cancer. I was able to go home the next day April 26th. My first round of chemo was brutal. The my dad drove me back to bend from Portland (3 hour drive). We left OHSU at 5 and got to bend around 8:30 I had already thrown up twice. And the next 4 days I was so sick throwing up at least 3 times a day and unable to keep anything down not even my medication or water. I lost 12 Ibs in that 4 days. There was a bit of confusion transferring my care from OHSU back to St Charles. Thankfully I was able to go to bend cancer center and get the correct anti nausea medication the didn’t give me at OHSU and it helped my nausea tremendously. I met with my Doctor at St Charles and got acquainted with the amazing nurses at St Charles Cancer Center. This is where I will receive my chemo treatments from now on. I get ABVD chemo every 15 days. I also do cold capping to help me keep my beautiful hair! I’m so grateful to all the amazing people I have on my side throughout this journey it has been so hard physical but also Mentally. Adjusting to this new normal of having cancer at 19 was and continues to be the hardest thing I have ever faced. I no longer understand my own body there are so many side effect to chemo as well as the Lupron shot I take to protect my ovaries. This causes me to be in menopause at 19. Chemo also makes me neutropenic so I don’t have much of an immune system so I’m unable to go out like a normal 19/20 old. I have had to stop work and school to focus on my health. My whole life feels like it has been put on pause because it has. There are plenty of negative side effect and things I can talk about. I can say it has also changed me for the better in many ways. I few life so much different now. I’m grateful for my life in such a different way than I did before. Seeing all the love, prayers and positivity I have received from family, friends and strangers has been so heartwarming. This is part of my story now and I take it one day at a time. I have gotten 3 round of chemo (6 sessions) so far. I got my 2nd PET scan which showed that the chemo is working. I got the best news possible which I am so happy and grateful for. This means I will have 4 more rounds (8 sessions) of chemo to go. Hopefully with be done with chemo in October! It’s nice to have an “end” date in a sense but that’s still 4-5 more months of being unable to be “normal” as well as the recovery after chemo.