Not Dead Yet

Diary of a 22-Year-Old Cancer Patient

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When I found out I had cancer, there were a million decisions to make.  Being so young, a hard one to make was whether to stay in school or not.  I was just about to start my Junior year of University.  I decided that staying in school would keep my mind occupied while my body was busy fighting.  I chose to only be a part-time student and take three classes.  The classes were things I loved, music and photography, so I knew I wouldn't get bored.  The photography class I chose to take was Documentary Photography.  As we were thinking of subjects for our final projects, my professor told me I had the perfect subject: Myself.  This began as a school project, but has evolved into a coping mechanism for my battle with cancer. 

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I was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin's Lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease.  It is cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic system.  It is the most treatable and most curable form of cancer.  It has no real risk factors.  There are a few possible causes (previously had Epstein-Barr virus, close relatives with Hodgkin's, AIDS), but some people with the risk factors don't get Hodgkin's disease, and some people without the risk factors do get Hodgkin's disease.  The chance of having this cancer is higher in young adults.

 

It's been a long journey, and it continues even to this day.  As of June of 2018 I can ecstatically call myself a survivor.  Looking back on this project, there is much more I want to add.  There is much more content waiting to fill in the blanks, and I would also like to include the struggles and triumphs that I have encountered after treatment.  Keep an eye out for more to come!