Today I rang the bell, having finished 5 months of Chemo for Stage 4 Lymphoma, feeling blessed that my last scan shows no evidence of the disease. It’s been a journey that I wish on no one and the hardest thing I’ve dealt with in my life. And came out of nowhere when I went to a doctor in October with a clogged ear and weird feeling in my throat, assuming I just needed ear drops. I was wrong. That doctor sent me for an MRI, which showed a tennis ball sized tumor inside my neck by my jaw that had also grown into my skull base, and the radiologist reading the MRI concluded that my tumor was a Paraganglioma, a very rare tumor (only 200 new cases a year worldwide). The doctor sent me to an Oncologist in November, who read the radiologist report and explained that my tumor was inoperable and had wrapped itself around my Carotid Artery, but that these tumors were generally benign, but he had me undergo another MRI and Pet scan. During my follow up visit in December, the Oncologist, after reviewing the test results, told me that the Neck/Skull tumor was malignant, and that I was Stage 4 ,as Cancer was also found in my Spleen, Spine, Femur and Vertebra. He went on to explain that there was no treatment for this type of tumor and the best they could do for me was to extend my life as long as they could and sent me for a bone biopsy to confirm the results. My world was shattered. After undergoing a bone biopsy on my hip on my birthday in January, the Oncologist called me with the results a few days later and explained that the biopsy surprisingly came back as Lymphoma (a treatable form of Cancer) not the Paraganglioma, per the original diagnosis, which could mean I was misdiagnosed or I had two types of Cancer. I was fortunate that my family was able to get me appointments at Sloan Kettering and Fox Chase Cancer centers in NY and Philadelphia and bought a one-way ticket for appointments in January. And with that I moved back in with my parents in NJ. After a roller coaster of appointments, where doctors at both hospitals could not confirm whether my Cancer was just Lymphoma or Lymphoma and a Paraganglioma, I was finally diagnosed with Lymphoma at Fox Chase and treated by amazingly skilled and empathetic doctors and nurses with Chemotherapy for the past 5 months. The side effects of nausea, bloating and the destruction of my digestive system have sucked. The Chemo worked and I'm blessed with a second chance. My goal now is to keep on living, appreciate the little things and do what I can to help others undergoing treatment and raise funds to help find a cure for this miserable disease.

Visionaries look to the future--and see infinite possibility.

They challenge the status quo--and make the impossible possible.

They boldly imagine a better world--and lead the charge to create it.

I am a visionary; I have a vision for a world without cancer, but I need your help! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was built on this same vision--of a better world--one without blood cancers. 

This year, I am proud to be participating in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Visionaries of the Year campaign as a team member, working to make the largest impact possible for LLS's mission. 

As a global leader in the fight against blood cancer, LLS:

• Funds cutting-edge research leading to breakthroughs in immunotherapy, genomics, and personalized medicine that are improving and saving the lives of patients.
• Provides free education and support for blood cancer patients and families, including personalized, one-on-one support, assistance with identifying and enrolling in clinical trials, and more.
• Mobilizes thousands of advocates to drive policy changes that accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and break down barriers to care. 

Please consider supporting this organization by making a contribution to my campaign, and by sharing the link to my page with your network. All donations are greatly appreciated and tax-deductible. For more information on LLS, please visit www.LLS.org 

On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere, thank you for your support.