Celebrating 20 Years

On September 11th, 2002, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. This would be the day that my life changed forever.

When I heard the doctor say the word "cancer", my heart sank and I was immediately overwhelmed with so many feelings and emotions. Ultimately, I was scared. I was only 18 years old and I had just graduated high school.

Right away, my mother started making phone calls and doing research to figure out everything she could about my diagnosis and the best place for me to begin treatment. Everything pointed us to the Cleveland Clinic. 

I can remember that I didn't really have to worry about anything other than my own mind because my parents and the Cleveland Clinic handled everything for me. They helped out immensely during a time that was incredibly stressful and depressing for me. They connected me with a social worker who clarified everything and assisted me with the financial aspects, significantly improving my situation. I also had an incredible oncology team who made sure I felt as comfortable and informed as possible throughout the treatment process.

After about 1 year of chemotherapy treatments, we thought we had the Lymphoma in remission, but sadly it had returned in late 2003. This left me feeling defeated. At this time, the oncology team decided the best route to take would be a bone marrow transplant.

I began the process of the transplant mid-2004. This involved more intense chemotherapy treatments, other types of appointments, and over a month-long stay in quarantine at the bone marrow transplant unit at the Cleveland Clinic. 

This was a very difficult time for me, especially because it was during the holidays. I was blessed to have an incredible support system beside me the entire way. My parents and brothers played a crucial role in this battle, and when you experience something like this, they share every emotion with you. I often think my mother bore more of the pain and stress than I did, but we got through it together. I can't imagine how hard it would have been to go through it without my family.

In early January 2005, I was allowed to go home. Day zero had arrived. The hard part was finally over for me. This was a time I will never forget. A sigh of relief as I began my journey of recovery. I was now in remission.

20 years later, I sit here, a fairly healthy 40 year old man. Cured. For this, I am truly grateful. 

However, the battle against cancer is never over. There are so many people out there suffering with this destructive disease that might not have the help they need, or the circumstances that I was blessed with along the way. This is why I feel it is important to tell my story and do what I can to help aid in the fight. 

As I celebrate 20 years of being cancer free, I am collecting donations for the Lymphoma Program Initiative Fund, which will support new initiatives in education and research within the Lymphoma Program at Cleveland Clinic. 

Thank you for your time and support. 
-Eric