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Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor

Hi,

My name is Emily Lisner and a year ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  I am now in full remission and I am blessed to have my life back.  I did not know any teens going through Cancer treatments while I was sick so I often felt very lonely.  Although I am better now, I would really like to talk to people I can relate to and maybe those that are still in treatment that would like a mentor that knows what they are going through.  I am also in the process of starting a Teen Center at the hospital where I was treated at.  I would like any insight about what your ideas would be for a Teen Center, and if the hospital’s you were treated at included one.  Thank you for your time and I hope everyone who reads this will give me some much needed insight!

February 26, 2010 by  
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16 Comments

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  • Kimberly

    Hey Emily, my name is Kimberly and I was also diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma last year. I had stage 2A and went under 3 surgeries and 3 trials of chemo. I have been in remission since October ’09. This week I felt two lumps near my original tumor and I became very paranoid. On Monday I will go to the hospital to take a PET Scan and talk to my pediatric surgeon. I am not sure what will come of it. I have already taken a CT scan and it did show that I had 3 swollen lymph nodes in my neck. They put me on antibiotics and the lumps feel like they are going down so I am very confident that they are just swollen because I am fighting off a cold or something. I just turned 16 and I feel like I have been forced to grow up so fast. How was your experience?

  • Chelsea

    Hi Emily.
    I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s 4 years ago, and I have been in remission for 3 1/2 years now. What kind of Teen Center are you starting? It sounds cool.

    • Emily

      Im glad to hear that! I am in the process of trying to start a teen center at the hospital where I was treated because I found that there really was no resources for teens. Did you feel that way too when you were diagnosed, how old are you?

      • Chelsea

        I was 14 when I was diagnosed. The hospital i was at was great! the staff was amazing! So i felt pretty good the whole time I was there!

  • MELISSA

    Hey there emily,
    I am currently finishing up treatment for hodgkins. how old were you when you were diagnosed?

    • Emily

      Hey Melissa,
      I was diagnosed at age 16 last year in Febuary, I am now 17 and in full remission. How are you/ how old are you?

  • Leah Shearer

    Hi Emily,

    Sometimes it can be just as hard (or harder) to go back to regular life after treatment as it is to go through treatment. Good for you wanting to get involved and try to make things better.

    I am curious to know what hospital you are trying to get to start a teen center?
    We have a pretty incredible teen center here in Rochester NY and our program is really helpful to our teens.

    So glad to hear that you have been doing so well…and glad you are giving back from what you’ve learned!

    Leah Shearer
    Program Coodinator
    Teens Living with Cancer/ Melissa’s Living Legacy

    • Emily

      Hi Leah,
      Thank you for your response. I am trying to start a teen center at Children’s DMC Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. I was treated there and I really felt alone as an older patient. I want to not only create a physical space but also put forth a mentoring system to help teens be guided through their treatments and overall experience. I am at a loss of how to put this idea into action and I have contacted many people at the Hospital and they told me my idea is great but space is so limited that I will have to raise a huge amount of money to make it happen. I am extremely determined and I could use any ideas, suggestions, or connections you may have.
      Thank you so much

  • valemeier

    Hey Emily,
    I think its great you are fine now, thats so cool! I actually dont have any cancer, but I am writing a book about it, so if you could help me with something it would be great, or if you could tell me your story so I could take some ideas from it.
    Congratulations!

    • Emily

      That’s really cool that your writing a book, I actually really want to write one. What exactly is the book about?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1644841150 Domi

    Hey Emily,
    I am also a Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor. I was put in remission in January 2010.
    I know what you mean about feeling lonely. Having cancer suck. Having cancer really showed me who my true friends were. I am glad that you are doing better. I think its awesome that you are starting that teen center!
    Teens will be grateful for that!

    -Domi

  • nathan

    Great to hear you are in remission! I am now 9 months in remission after being treated for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at 14. The hospital I went to had a great teen center; they had game rooms set up on the pediatric oncology floor with PS3′s, Xbox’s, computers, and loads of activities to do. We also had social workers that would answer any questions or concerns the other kids had. Hope you’re doing well!

  • carolina

    hello emily,
    my name is carolina and i”m 42 years old if there is anything i can do to help i’m willing to volunteer, i live in Los Angeles, CA..and god bless you all!

  • Sali

    Hey Emily,

    I might be late, But I got diagnose back in February 2010. I just finish Chemotherapy about a month ago. I am going in for radiation therapy. And I feel exactly like you. Ive met a couple young people and became friends with them but still a miscommunication. I feel lost when im in the cancer clinic! I am very happy that your in remission and I am crossing my fingers I will be too! But if you don’t mind, if we talk you can email me. if you can respone with an email address I can contact you back at! :) @

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=791775047 Emily Lisner

      Hi Sali,

      I am so glad you contacted me. I am so happy for you that you finished chemotherapy that is definitely the worst part! I would love to talk more with you whenever you can. My email address is: willa1992@aol.com

      Good luck and look forward to hearing from you soon!
      Emily

  • Hannah Baiona

    Hi Emily, My name is Hannah. I am 14 and currently undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma stage 2A. I would love to talk sometime!

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