I've been a long time reader of Anandtech but just started posting, so I thought I'd share a little about what's been going on with me over the past few years. Why? Because I'm hoping my story can help some people going through rough times. Remember no matter how bad things are, life is worth living!
I'm 22 years old. In my old life, I was an Eletrical Engineering student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition, I was an Air Force ROTC cadet. I was well on my way to entering the Air Force as a LT this year in May 2007.
In February 2005 I began the first of a year of internship required for my degree. I also started dating a long time friend of mine I had met in ROTC, Emily. She was a year behind me but we had been friends for a long time.
In May 2005 I proposed to Emily and she said yes, I was thrilled. She returned home to Michigan a day after our engagement, planning to return in August. A week later I recieved a frantic phone call from Emily's mother. She had been rushed to the hospital and doctors suspected she had leukemia. I rushed to Michigan, arriving 2 days after the phone call. I basically hopped in my car and left, telling my boss I was leaving. Emily began chemotherapy the day after I arrived.
In August 2005 I turned 21 and moved to Michigan to be with Emily for the remainder of her treatment. Nothing is more painful then watching someone you love so dearly suffer. I had to be there though, for myself as much as for her. We grew even closer during her ordeal, so sometimes good things happen from the worst. She finished treatment in November 2005 and is still cancer free.
On our anniversary in February 2006 I became seriously ill with night sweats, fevers, chills, and a hacking cough. They suspected bronchitis and told me to wait it out. A week later doctors suspected pnemonia and did a chest X-ray. That's when they found the 8x6 inch blob in my chest. After undergoing a battery of tests I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage IIB (bulky).
I underwent 6 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy, a cycle is 28 days and you recieve chemo on days 1 and day 15. I finished on August 18. On September 18th I began radiation therapy. I finished that 10 days ago. I am not yet sure if I'm cancer free, but things were looking very good in August and the radiation should have knocked the remainder out.
I wanted to share my story because it is my hope that it can inspire some people. Yes, I know it sounds like a bad movie script, but I assure you this entire ordeal has happened to me I am currently planning to attend SUNY Geneseo and obtain a degree in Psychology, and pursue a masters in Social Work, so that I can help young adult cancer patients like myself and Emily.
I learned a lot about life over the past couple years, and even on bad days where I could barely get out of bed, I have determined that our time on earth is precious, and you should do everything you can do enjoy each and every moment. The test that you fail today will mean nothing a year from now, but the words you forget to tell your significant other can haunt you for eternity.
I'm 22 years old. In my old life, I was an Eletrical Engineering student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition, I was an Air Force ROTC cadet. I was well on my way to entering the Air Force as a LT this year in May 2007.
In February 2005 I began the first of a year of internship required for my degree. I also started dating a long time friend of mine I had met in ROTC, Emily. She was a year behind me but we had been friends for a long time.
In May 2005 I proposed to Emily and she said yes, I was thrilled. She returned home to Michigan a day after our engagement, planning to return in August. A week later I recieved a frantic phone call from Emily's mother. She had been rushed to the hospital and doctors suspected she had leukemia. I rushed to Michigan, arriving 2 days after the phone call. I basically hopped in my car and left, telling my boss I was leaving. Emily began chemotherapy the day after I arrived.
In August 2005 I turned 21 and moved to Michigan to be with Emily for the remainder of her treatment. Nothing is more painful then watching someone you love so dearly suffer. I had to be there though, for myself as much as for her. We grew even closer during her ordeal, so sometimes good things happen from the worst. She finished treatment in November 2005 and is still cancer free.
On our anniversary in February 2006 I became seriously ill with night sweats, fevers, chills, and a hacking cough. They suspected bronchitis and told me to wait it out. A week later doctors suspected pnemonia and did a chest X-ray. That's when they found the 8x6 inch blob in my chest. After undergoing a battery of tests I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, stage IIB (bulky).
I underwent 6 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy, a cycle is 28 days and you recieve chemo on days 1 and day 15. I finished on August 18. On September 18th I began radiation therapy. I finished that 10 days ago. I am not yet sure if I'm cancer free, but things were looking very good in August and the radiation should have knocked the remainder out.
I wanted to share my story because it is my hope that it can inspire some people. Yes, I know it sounds like a bad movie script, but I assure you this entire ordeal has happened to me I am currently planning to attend SUNY Geneseo and obtain a degree in Psychology, and pursue a masters in Social Work, so that I can help young adult cancer patients like myself and Emily.
I learned a lot about life over the past couple years, and even on bad days where I could barely get out of bed, I have determined that our time on earth is precious, and you should do everything you can do enjoy each and every moment. The test that you fail today will mean nothing a year from now, but the words you forget to tell your significant other can haunt you for eternity.