Hi Everyone! My name is Lia Sartorio and I am 21 years old. I am Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma SURVIVOR! My world was turned upside down on May 6th, 2019, when I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I had been experiencing severe back pain for a few months, and after many unsuccessful chiropractic visits, I was prescribed an MRI.
Back in March 2015, my then 26-year-old daughter was not feeling well. She had severe abdominal pain, overwhelming fatigue, night sweats, a low-grade fever, a headache, and appeared to be losing weight. At the time, my daughter was working as a speech language pathologist in a hospital in Maryland. She was misdiagnosed by an ER droctor and two months later, after her primary c
Hi, my name is Chaneta, I like to go by Juliet. This past year has been an interesting one, to say the least. I’m a singer-songwriter who wrote and released an album in October 2017. I thought the year was going to be an amazing one–promoting and performing–unfortunately, I performed one time and I began to literally unravel. In December 2017, I caught the flu. Normal stuff, not too bad right?
My name is Sarah and I am a six-year Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor. I’m extremely honored to not only be in attendance today but to also share my story. My world came crashing down July 2013. Like so many other patients, I had been diagnosed with frequent upper respiratory infections, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy prior to my diagnosis.
Olivia was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma shortly after her 4th Birthday and after her baby sister was born.
It began when she was too weak to walk and misdiagnosed by a couple doctors. It wasn't until she ended up in the emergency room and ICU where they found the cancer.
My story begins in October of 2018. I had recently graduated from college, moved away from home for the first time, settled into my own apartment, and started a full-time job. I felt like I was on the verge of greatness with all of these new and exciting beginnings in my life. I didn't know that I was about to have another massive beginning...
In October 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma, oh and I was 5 months pregnant at the time. I had been having recurring bronchitis and sinus infections for several months and I self-diagnosed myself with chronic bronchitis or sinusitis. I went into urgent care in October with severe flu symptoms and a persistent cough that would not go away.
Being a lymphoma survivor means that you have lived through something very challenging. There is no doubt that cancer is one of the most challenging diseases. The treatments for this disease are very intense physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a retired oncology registered nurse, I saw the pain and desperation in the eyes and lives of my patients and their families.
Rachel was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma in February 2015. She was 26 years old. The moment when her oncologist first spoke the words “you have cancer” were surreal to her. She looked to her parents who exchanged the same look of disbelief and shock, then quickly looked away before fear and sadness settled across their faces. Her mind started to race, “How am I stage 4?
Hi! My name is Savanna. I am 20 years old, and I am a 2x Hodgkin lymphoma survivor. After being sick for nearly a year and half my freshman year at college, I was unfavorably diagnosed, Stage IV in November 2017.