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A Profile of Hope: Kimberly’s Story
 
In Kimberly’s own words . . .

I was diagnosed in July of 2009 with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Grade 1, Stage 4. It started with finding a lump in the back of my neck a few months prior but I really thought nothing of it until I told a friend who urged me to contact my doctor and called me every day until I made an appointment. My primary care physician told me it was probably nothing but the worst it could be was lymphoma and if you had a choice, that was the cancer to have (such comforting news).

The next step was an appointment with a surgeon the following day who also told me the same, "It doesn't look serious but we should remove it to be 100% sure." Surgery was scheduled a week later and still thinking it was nothing, I did not inform my parents, siblings or children. A freeze test after surgery showed no cancer so a follow up appointment was set to remove the stitches in two weeks. Well, two days later I received a call to come in to meet with my surgeon. I was diagnosed with follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Grade 1. Further tests with my oncologist and a second opinion confirmed I was Stage 4 (bone marrow involvement).

I was so thankful the friend who urged me to make the initial appointment was with me at that appointment. In that moment when the doctor said, "I'm sorry, you have lymphoma," my life changed and my biggest concern now was how I was going to tell my parents. I was a mess. My brother, Jeff, was the first family member I told. He offered his loving support and words of encouragement, "Mom will surprise you by being your greatest strength." I then told my sweet daughters who, both with tear stained cheeks, climbed in the car to drive to my parent’s home. My brother was right. My mom, along with the strength of my father, has been utterly amazing.

"So far, the scariest time for me has been all the tests I had to go through to be staged. More blood work, CAT scan, PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy (three attempts and still unsuccessful in getting into my core... let's talk about painful!). Besides three healthy pregnancies and annual check ups, hospitals, tests, prescriptions, specialists, and disease were foreign to me. Rarely have I even come down with the common cold.

"Watch and Wait" was the treatment prescribed since I am Grade 1, my tumor size is small, I have no symptoms and bone marrow involvement is less than 2%. Also my age and general health is excellent. My second CAT scan, three months later, showed a 30%-50% reduction in my tumor sizes. My third and fourth CAT scans have also shown a reduction, so I currently have blood work every four months and once a year for a CAT scan, unless symptoms occur.

I have learned, like everything else, you have to experience something yourself before you have full understanding and that everyone's experience touches them in a different way. What I do know is we rarely have the control over what happens to us, but we always have the control over how we react to it. I chose to be grateful for my health within my disease, and to reach out and help those I can with a passion to make a difference.

I have also learned how significant the power of prayer, close relationships, positive thinking, and the importance of diet are once your health is compromised. Through a friend's recommendation, I had an additional evaluation and suggestions from a nurse specializing in integrative medicine. Along with the benefit of a book given to me by another close friend, I started to follow a very specific nutrition plan. I believe this diet has drastically reduced my symptoms and improved my overall wellbeing. Even my oncologist noticed the difference in my follow up tests. I told him about my approach and my passion to tell my story so anyone, before or after being diagnosed, can make changes in their diet that could make a significant difference.

I am now feeling thankful and blessed for every day I am symptom free. Feeling healthy and wanting to share my experience, I started doing some research online and found the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF). I didn’t want to look back and say, “I wish I would have done more.” I noticed there was no chapter in Orlando and knew this is where I wanted to get involved. I am excited to now be in the process of getting a LRF Chapter started here.

Although I never took it for granted, my health is something I was very proud of. I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life, fitness is a priority, and I come from a family of longevity with both my maternal grandmother and great grandmother living healthy lives well into their 90s. I thought, besides a freak accident, I was on my way to 100. I’m not even half way there, and that certainty has been broken, but not without a redefined center.

My relationships, always important, are now my most important priority. I hug a little longer, am more patient, listen more intensely, and have become a better giver through learning how to receive. I no longer believe my strength comes from within but from God. Once I transferred my trust fully to God, I was able to let go of fear and receive an unbelievable place of inner peace. I believe God sometimes gives us misery in places He knows can be our ministry.