About

In 2011, my life changed forever with a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. As a relatively healthy person, I was not a sophisticated consumer of medical services. I had no idea what was in store for me, and I was overwhelmed with fear and a thousand other emotions. 

Television commercials brought to life a dark, frail, and powerless vision of the cancer journey. One where I should simply do whatever the doctors said and give up my autonomy because I don't have a medical degree. Frankly, that just wasn't good enough for me. I realized I couldn't think of myself as a powerless patient; I had to become the "gatekeeper" of my health and quality of life. My love of learning and my analytical skills kicked in. I knew if I was going to survive and live the life I wanted, I had to dig deep and become the leader of my journey. 

I knew what I needed. However, it was not available. What I needed was emotional support from someone who had experienced Hodgkin's Lymphoma before me. Someone who could assure me that what I was feeling was normal and could give me an idea of what was coming around the corner. 

This void prompted me to find ways to self-soothe and support myself. I thought others must be feeling emotionally isolated as well. I kept this gap in the back of my mind while navigating cancer and healing. 

After my treatment ended, I entered the new, and just as uncertain world of survivorship. The support system I had grown used to in the form of regular doctor visits was suddenly gone, and I felt the most alone. That was when I discovered the critical disconnect between clinical care and the holistic support needed for life after cancer.