A Profile of Hope—Madison's Story

In Madison’s own words:

After six months of misdiagnosis, I got a second opinion from a physician who recommended a CAT scan. The scan was done at Scripps in Encinitas, CA, which showed a possible lymphoma. A biopsy confirmed that I had mantle cell lymphoma. It was stage 3B.

Six treatments of rituximab went well and then I had pheresis, which went very well. I donated my stem cells and then went through total body irradiation, high dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant on December 27, 2006. I am recovering and am cancer free as of my last CAT scan. Nurses and doctors at Scripps Green were fantastic and support from friends and family helped me through the treatments.
 
Research is absolutely key to finding cures. I now support LRF and we have had two successful walks to raise money and awareness in San Diego. I have learned that you need the support of family and friends to get through this. You need a good mental attitude to beat the disease and finally, you need to be your own best advocate.
 
I am feeling great now, am getting my weight back. I started at 188, got to 134, and am now about 165. I had a hard time getting my appetite back and still don’t really feel hungry. I just really enjoy every day with family and friends.
 
In 2006, a friend of mine heard about the walk and asked me if I would like him to organize a group to support me at the walk. I was overwhelmed with his efforts and it was one of the emotional days of my life. We picked the theme "I get by with a little help from my friends" and I played a song for my friends at the end of the walk. There were a few tears shed that day.
 
I had a good outlook on life before I got cancer, but now it has really turned up a notch. I set up a blog and end every update by saying, "enjoy every day". I just had my two year anniversary of my stem cell transplant on Dec. 27, 2008 and am so happy to report, I am cancer free. We celebrated this great milestone taking a cruise in the Caribbean with family.

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