A young woman’s life took a dramatic turn following a diagnosis of stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma. At just 22 years old, she experienced unexplained fatigue and severe itching, symptoms she initially attributed to her demanding job in operations for a company managing boat shows.
In September 2024, her exhaustion deepened, leading her to dismiss her symptoms as stress-related. Despite her active lifestyle and generally good health, she noticed persistent itching on her shoulders. The itching became so severe that she scratched her skin until it bled, yet she believed it to be a reaction to a skincare product or even the changing weather.
The situation escalated during a family gathering in Tampa on Thanksgiving. She discovered a lump on the left side of her collarbone and, though initially dismissive, decided to consult her dermatologist. An appointment was scheduled for January 2025, but her condition worsened.
On December 19, 2024, she called her mother in distress, overwhelmed by pain in her neck and upper back. This prompted a visit to the emergency room, driven by an intuition that something was seriously wrong. Doctors initially suspected muscle spasms or arthritis, but subsequent tests revealed distorted tissue in her neck.
“I wasn’t thinking: Do I have cancer?” she recalls. “It was just: Go. Bring yourself in.”
After X-rays and CT scans, two oncologists informed her she would need to be admitted for further observation. Her heart sank, particularly as it was the eve of her birthday. Although she was discharged the following night, the gravity of her diagnosis soon became apparent. A biopsy confirmed that an enlarged lymph node was cancerous, and on New Year’s Eve, she learned that she had stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma.
The urgency of her diagnosis left little time for reflection. She quickly underwent fertility preservation procedures and began chemotherapy at the end of January. Working remotely during treatment, she faced the isolating experience of being the youngest patient in the infusion room.
Her hair, a significant part of her identity, began to fall out despite her attempts at cold capping. The emotional toll of losing her long brown hair was profound. After seeing chunks of hair fall out, she made the impulsive decision to shave her head, a moment she describes as both freeing and disorienting.
In the wake of her treatment, she turned to social media, sharing her journey on TikTok. “There have to be other people who have gone through this,” she thought, and found a community of support among young women facing similar battles.
Now in remission as of June 2, 2025, she is navigating the complexities of life after cancer. Despite her physical recovery, she continues to deal with the psychological aftermath of her experience, including anxiety about her health and how others perceive her.
“It’s been almost a year since my diagnosis. It’s changed everything,” she reflects. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, urging others to trust their instincts when health issues arise. “Go after it and don’t stop until you figure out the root cause.”
Her journey serves as a reminder to remain vigilant about health and to seek answers, even when symptoms seem minor. Through her challenges, she has learned to embrace authenticity and to appreciate both the good and the difficult moments in life.
