Andrea's Cancer Treatment

My name is Andrea, I am 25 years old, and I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) on May 26, 2023.

At the end of October 2022, I tested positive for Covid-19. I noticed a small lump forming on the right side of my neck near my collarbone and thought it would go away on it's own. I experienced trouble sleeping and staying asleep due to wheezing and coughing and I decided to see a pulmonary doctor. I was diagnosed with asthma and began using an inhaler daily. Although the inhaler had fixed my wheezing issue, the lump on the neck still had not disappeared.

In April 2023, I decided to see my primary care doctor. She was also able to feel the lump on my neck and expressed concern that it could be a thyroid issue. I was ordered to get an ultrasound and blood work. The ultrasound showed several abnormal sized lymph nodes on both sides of my neck. My primary care doctor then referred me to see an ENT specialst to perform a needle biopsy. Upon an initial consultation with an ENT doctor, I was ordered to get an MRI first.

In May 2023, the day after Mother's Day, I recieved a phone call at 9am from the doctor. I was told my MRI scans looked like it could be Lymphoma, but the biopsy would confirm the diagnosis. The MRI showed additional abnormal sized lymph nodes in my chest, with some even pressing against my windpipe and could be the reason for my wheezing. I went back to the ENT doctor, expecting to do a needle biopsy, and was told that they would not do it today. Instead, I found myself alone in a room with an ENT surgeon and several medical assistants informing me that upon further consideration with other doctors, I would need to go to the operating room to get a surgical biopsy where I would be under anesthesia and a couple lymph nodes would be removed for testing. He informed me that this may mean I would have about a 3-inch scar on my neck and to that I had shrugged my shoulders and said, "Well, I don't think I have another option".

On Monday, May 22, 2023, I went to the hospital for a surgcial biopsy. While waiting for my name to be called, my boyfriend, Patrick, leans over to me and says, "What are we doing here? We're just kids." The following Friday on May 26, 2023, the biopsy results came back. The day before I left to go on a family vacation to the Philippines for 2 weeks, I found out I have cancer.

So far I've had/will be having:

I currently have stage 2 cancer with a "bulky" mass in my chest of which I was told is the size of a grapefruit. My current treatment plan involves a four-drug regimen for chemotherapy and radiation. Some side effects include hair loss, reproductive issues, heart problems, pulmonary toxicity, nausea/vomitting, etc.

Due to my young age, I have also opted to go through with the IVF process to freeze my eggs prior to chemotherapy. I have always imagined myself to one day start a family and concieve naturally, but because there is the potential to become infertile, I wanted to ensure that possibility. This process includes frequent check-ins at the fertility center, several ultrasounds, and multiple self administered injections twice a day for 14 days. This is then followed by a minor surgery to retrieve the eggs. Part of this process is not covered by insurance and so I am reaching out to friends and family for support on this journey.

I have also opted to use cold cap therapy during my chemotherapy sessions to help retain as much of my hair and help with the regrowth process. When I was considering using this service, since it is expensive and not covered by insurance, I decided that my hair is important to me because it may be one of the few things that I can take back control of. Knowing that I am taking action and not letting the effects of cancer take control, gives me peace of mind.

I currently work two jobs and because of my recent diagnosis, I will also be working less and therefore unable to make the extra income I usually do. Co-pay costs, prescription costs, and travel expenses alone, add up.

I am thankful for my care team at Penn Medicine who have helped me so far on this journey as it has been scary and uncertain for my family. It is not easy to ask for help, but having cancer is not something I chose for myself. I've always watched my parents take care of me growing up, and now as a 25-year-old adult, it pains me to have to put this financial burden on them.

Please consider donating. If you are unable to help financially, I would appreciate it if you could share my story. Thank you.

-Andrea