Zack's Journey with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

I was feeling stomach pains for two weeks right around my birthday. I got a CatScan and they thought it was an intussusception (part of your intestine scrunching up into another part). They tried one procedure that did not work so they decided to operate. Afterwards they called my mom in to look at what turned out to be the tumor and said "It might be cancer." The next day or so (Timing is a little fuzzy due to medication) they got the test results back and came in to tell me. I don't remember much of it, but I believe I just kinda laughed and fell back asleep. Go drugs! Anyways, the surgery is the best and least hurtful way to go in my experience. As long as your doctors are good there shouldn't be any serious complications.

I had to decide whether I wanted to take Chemo or risk Cancer returning.

I went to Seattle Childrens. I had two sessions of Chemotherapy separated by 3 weeks. In the mean time I stayed in a Hotel room in Seattle. With familial support it was very easy for me. I'm glad that I didn't know about all the side effects of Chemo beforehand. The main thing I can say is to make friends. If you don't have any friends or family that will stick around now? Stay positive and make whatever hospital you are at and the people near you your friends. Some of them you don't even have to tell about having cancer. Make friends that you can pour your mind into instead of thinking constantly about a "disease" that you have. I thought about my mother more than myself because she was the worried one. Although I believe this should be your first resort, some may use it as a last. Turn to God and he will help you through it. He's helped me through some considerably larger hardships recently.

My fever spiked to over 101 for a short period. My mom blamed it on my dad being there instead of her. But during this time my older brother was also in a car accident. Again, the two main suggestions I have for anyone going through ANYTHING similar are to Stay focused on those around you, and to remain positive at all times.