I have been meaning to do an update for the past few weeks but finding the words to wrap up this experience is harder than I thought it would be. I’ve been in remission since my mid-treatment PET scan in early March, when we learned that I had a complete response to treatment. Even so, I still needed to complete all 8 treatments — four full cycles of chemotherapy. After finishing those four cycles, undergoing another PET scan, and receiving a second opinion, we got the confirmation on May 6th that I could officially be DONE with treatment. Hallelujah!
My last day of chemo was April 22nd. I may not have “rang the bell” to mark the end of treatment, but simply feeling good again felt like celebration enough. There was nothing easy about chemotherapy, and maybe someday I’ll share more about that part of the journey. For now, what matters most is gratitude. Gratitude for my oncologists, my oncology nurses, and the countless people who have dedicated their lives to cancer research — especially blood cancer research.
To everyone who prayed, sent cards, texts, care packages, or took the time to visit: thank you. Your love lifted my spirits more than you know and carried me through some incredibly hard days. And to my husband — thank you for sitting beside me at every appointment, making me laugh when I needed it most, and carrying so much at home so I could focus on healing. I could not have done this without you.
What’s next? I have a follow-up scan at the end of July, then blood work and a check-in with my oncologist in early August. If everything looks good, we’ll continue monitoring every 3–6 months to make sure nothing returns and no symptoms come back. I’m not completely out of the woods yet — most relapses happen within the first two years after treatment. They officially call you a survivor after five years in remission, though I already feel like one. ❤
If I can offer any encouragement or advice to someone facing a cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy — specifically Stage 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with AVD + Nivo (immunotherapy) treatment — these would be my biggest takeaways from the experience:
- Walk in the days after treatment, even when you really don’t want to.
- Drink more water than you think you need to — and set reminders if you have to. I’m serious.
- Keep anti-nausea medication and laxatives nearby for the days you may need them.
- Find a therapist, especially one trained in EMDR.
- Spend time with family and friends. It’s deeply healing for the soul.
- Avoid large or hard-to-digest meals for the 3–5 days after treatment.
- Use a rebounder (mini trampoline) or vibration plate to help support lymphatic movement.
- And most importantly: let people help you. Say yes to the meal trains, the visits, the prayers, the gifts, and the support. It lifts your spirit more than you can imagine — and during treatment, that matters immensely.
The Salty Exchange 