The Beginning 
In February of 2019, my daughter, Mariah found 3 lumps on the left side of her neck.  With different things going on in her life at the time she chalked it up as stress and she continued on with her daily activities. Mariah has always been one to push herself harder than most. She graduated high school a year early and continued on to college, even taking classes through the summer so she could finish her degree from the University of Houston, majoring in History and minoring in Education, ahead of schedule. As the days and months went on the lumps got larger and the pain started to increase. So much so that she took herself to the ER at a local hospital in April to be checked out complaining of shortness of breath, constant pain on the left side of her neck and severe chest pains but was discharged with no diagnosis.

The Diagnosis
On June 1st, in severe pain again, she was finally admitted after having presented in the ER at a different hospital.  Immediately following the tests, including this time a CT scan, an oncology consult was referred.  Jeff and I were on a plane headed home from a conference, but Dr. Kovitz (Mariah’s oncologist) took the time with Mariah to conference call us to go over the findings and the next steps. Dr. Kovitz ordered a biopsy and other tests.  While we were still awaiting the pathology results, the oncologist let us know that he was very certain that it was Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  So we waited and he prepared her for the treatment plan. Her first MD Anderson appointment for the following week was scheduled pending the pathology results of the biopsy. While this is a treatable cancer, especially when caught in the early stages, it is still scary and unnerving. The “hurry up and wait” game is draining. 

The Waiting Game
On Friday, June 7, 2019 Mariah was given the official diagnosis of Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a common cancer with set treatments and therapies.  Monday, June 10 Mariah was set to begin her new journey with the support of her family and friends as well as her Care Team with MDACC.  Her oncologist prepared her for the busy 2 weeks ahead with the initial tests beginning with a PET scan, lab work, and other tests to follow. He said things would move extremely fast so that she could begin chemotherapy as quickly as possible. At that time there were no specifics to her type of Hodgkin's Lymphoma or chemotherapy treatment. They would be sending the sample to MDACC for additional testing and once he had that information we will be provided more specifics. Twelve days after her discharge from the hospital and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis, we continued to wait.  She struggled with pain, and we waited for test results, and insurance approvals for more tests, etc.

More Tests
Approvals finally came and Mariah had her first appointments Tuesday, June 18 spending the majority of the day at MD Anderson starting with additional lab work, an ultrasound and a fertility appointment. Due to the significant effects of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and chemotherapy on a women’s fertility, Mariah had to discuss the potential of fertility preservation prior to her treatment. On June 19 she returned to the med center for 3 additional appointments that included a consultation with the Lymphoma and Myeloma Center, a PFT (pulmonary function test) and a PET scan. Now we wait some more for the results, specifically the PFT and PET scan as the scan will help them know if the cancer is in more areas other than her neck and chest so they can then determine next steps for treatment. She proceeded with a Pain Management appointment as her pain was continually progressing and getting worse each day.

Another ER Visit
Thursday, June 20, I met Mariah at the ER at MD Anderson in the med center at 9:30am and she was admitted. Her pain was out of control, and we finally got settled into a room at 3am the next day (Friday morning). Throughout the day they worked to manage her pain and do additional testing. At one time it seemed that her entire care team was in the room today, over 18 people at one time. Fluid wound found in her lungs and heart. An ECHO was done for further info. The fluid in/around her heart and lungs was considered moderate and only needed to closely monitored.  Amongst all of discussions and tests, they completed a bone marrow biopsy and PICC line insertion…and they finally put her on a PCA pump that helped control her pain. She woke up very sore that morning, which is expected from both procedures. After the Radiologists read the scan from the PICC insertion we’ve now learned that the IV team has to come back to modify the PICC line. After that the process starts over. Scan, labs, then chemo. We knew at that time she would definitely be starting chemo sometime that day but had to have all the necessary things to be completed so they can start and we won’t know until later on if radiation is needed. 





First Chemo
June 23, after repositioning her PICC line Saturday, Mariah had her first chemo treatment. She did very well. She was in a good mood and her pain was finally under control. She couldn’t wait to get her first good night sleep in months…her body had other plans. She didn't have the best night. Around 10pm or so her oxygen levels started dropping so they did an ABG test and breathing treatment. After the results of the ABG they changed her regular oxygen to high flow oxygen.  She was nauseated that morning and poor thing had a headache all night. She was finally able to get some rest this morning for a few hours.  She had to have a second ABG test (arterial blood gas) where they take the blood from the artery and not the vein. Let’s just say that one wasn’t done correctly by the phlebotomist so they had to redraw an hour later. That was successful and the results came back “perfect” so they were able to start weening her from the high flow oxygen. Cardiologist came by to check on her and the fluid around her heart is stable and ordered another Echo for the next day which the fluid was found to be stable.

The results of the Bone Marrow Biopsy came back (thankfully) negative. Originally, they were suspecting Stage 3, however due to various locations, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Pain finally under control and weaning off the PCA pump, slowly switching to oral medication and possibly looking forward to discharge, on day 7 her hemoglobin dropped, which was expected, however it dropped too low and Mariah had to receive 2 units of blood. She still had the tingling and numbness in her left arm, from her shoulder to her hand, although slightly improved and they were still watching her O2 levels as they continue to fluctuate.

Still in the Hospital
She spent another 7 days in the hospital.  Mariah was still struggling with pain management but everything else is improving. The Lymphoma in her neck sits on the nerves that lead to her arm and hand. The continued additional testing including an MRI and EMG. The results of the MRI and EMG confirmed that in addition to the enlarged lymph nodes on her neck the mass on her spine is impeding on her nerves causing the increased pain she has been experiencing. They’ve modified her pain meds and her pain is under control. 



Discharge!
Released July 3, after 14 days at MD Anderson, got a couple of grocery sacks full of the 11 prescriptions she went home with (yes 11) prescriptions.





After discharge the road still continues to be rocky, and her second round of chemo was rescheduled 3 times one week - once due to insurance verification and the last two times due to her liver enzymes being elevated. In the meantime (and much faster than she expected) she was experiencing a drastic loss of hair so she decided to take matters into her own hands and have it cut. She had a cute short haircut picked out, but her hair had other plans… as it clumped and came out in her stylist’s hands, so she just told Sarah to cut it off… with the sides shaved that still left enough on top to style. Her hair had other plans. Once it was washed her hair did what it had begun to do over the past several days after she showered and washed her hair which was to clump and bind together so Mariah told Sarah to just cut it all off. Definitely an emotional day!  That being said, Mariah’s beauty still shined (and thankfully she has a cute head!) She is beautiful with or without hair, and with that amazing smile, bright eyes and the bubbly personality to stay positive!





Work…and Life
Mariah has never been one to shy away from challenges, and always pushes herself to keep going.  She had been working over the past year as a server at Chili’s while getting her certification classes completed for teaching.  Even through her treatments, she tries to pick up shifts.  While she has tried to continue to pick up shifts here and there, often her fatigue and other side effects like nausea sometimes derail her work plans.  She has good days and bad, but gives 110% even on those bad days.  She recently started doing some temp work in an office environment, but even that sometimes is tough… hard to drive to work (or home) when you’re nauseated and dizzy! She is trying to continue to do her normal day to day activities as much as possible even when she’s nauseated, sore, or exhausted. She’s not letting cancer get the best of her!







We never imagined that at the young age of 23 she would be going through something like this. She has a long journey ahead, but we know the love and prayers from all of you will help guide her to recovery. Beyond the emotional hardship she now faces, the financial burden of this illness looms heavily. 

We ask that Mariah doesn't fight this alone. Mariah means so much to many of us, with her positivity and strength, despite the circumstances, I know she will get through this. After the initial shock of her diagnosis, she told me that it was just a "minor inconvenience" - what a badass, right? Her quirky, funny, genuine and caring personality that we all love with shines in every aspect of her life. 

Although she has insurance, out-of-pocket expenses for deductibles, co-pays and medications have already taken their toll, especially with her not being able to work as much as she’d like!  We appreciate your time and consideration for reading this and keeping Mariah in your thoughts and prayers. Any help is deeply appreciated and will go a long way - whether it’s prayer, advice, a donation or sharing our story. Any donation is greatly appreciated and would allow her to focus all of her energy on getting better.  We believe God will fully heal Mariah and she will lead a long, healthy life beyond Lymphoma.  

Help us widen the circle of support by sharing this link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email and any other social media platform you can think of.  Together we can make ALL the difference in helping Mariah beat Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  Thank you very much in advance for your generous support.

#cancersucks #teammariah