Sam’s Fight Against Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hi, my name is Samantha but everyone calls me Sam! I’m a wife, boy mom and NICU nurse living in Huntsville, AL.

After working Saturday night I walked into church Sunday morning to realize my shoulder was very sore. While kneeling to pray I reached over to rub my shoulder and found a mass near my collarbone. I was worried but knew I would just call my doctor Monday to see what was going on. After getting off my shift 2/26/24, I called and the doctor’s office recommended going to the emergency department for quicker imaging. I was initially reluctant as it didn’t feel emergent until moments later my face and arm started tingling and going numb while driving.

Upon arrival to the ER I was checked in and quickly a stroke alert was called. Little did I know that CT they rushed me to would show more than just my brain.

Upon reviewing the CT head and neck it was determined I didn’t have a stroke but that there were large amounts of inflamed lymph nodes especially the large mass at my clavicle. My chest x-ray also showed a very large heart. It was decided I was going to be admitted to rule out cancer. I was devastated and just scared. A ton more pokes for blood work, fine needle biopsy, MRI, ECHO and CTs with contrast later it was determined I have cancerous lymph nodes under my left arm pit, clavicle (the one that brought me the concern), my neck, my abdomen and a 7cm Mass on my heart (which explained my chest x-ray).

2/27 Dr Ortega confirmed our biggest fear. I have been diagnosed with advanced classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - stage III. From everything I have read and learned from the oncologist it is a rare but treatable cancer. I got a port (permanent IV access) for easy access to collect my blood work as well as give me infusions I’ll require through chemotherapy.

For now I wait for my PET scan next week and the following week I start immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

My oncologist says I will require treatment for at least 6 months if not more. I will no longer be able to work so this creates a financial burden, as well as the physical and emotional toll this is causing myself and family.

The money you contribute will help with costs of hospital expenses, medications, chemo, co-pays and helping keep our family afloat while we navigate finding out new “normal”.

Our family also asks you keep us in your prayers.

Thank you for all the love and support already,

Sam