Hello! My name is Abbie Shull, I live in Sumner, Washington with my dog, Moony.

About a month ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 2, high-risk Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While this news has been difficult to process, I'm approaching this battle armed with an arsenal of laughter, positivity, and a ton of ridiculous hospital socks to keep my spirits up!

But let me back up, and tell you a bit about how we got here. In January, I started seeking out treatment because I had a lump in my neck and was experiencing symptoms that seemed like something was wrong with my thyroid. By March, I still knew nothing, the lump had grown substantially and I was starting to have trouble breathing. On top of all of that, I started a new job! Switched insurance! And had to essentially start over in my quest for answers.

Finally, I got in to see an ENT who ordered new images that finally showed the lump was actually a 13 centimeter tumor from my neck to my chest. The tumor — which my friends and I have lovingly named “Mump the Lump” — compressed my airway by more than 60%, shifting my trachea and esophagus to the left. Doctors were so worried about the size of it and its impacts on my breathing that I was admitted to the hospital on May 10, 2023.

After two separate needle biopsies and a surgical biopsy, I was finally diagnosed and sent home to await treatment. I began my first round of ABVD chemotherapy on June 6.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a sly little devil that likes to mess with my lymphatic system. What’s fascinating is I am the third person in my family to have been diagnosed with this relatively rare cancer. According to the doctors, I've reached stage 2 with high-risk: stage 2, because the cancer has spread to two lymph nodes and the fact that my tumor is about the size of a large grapefruit is what makes it “high-risk.”

Fear not, my friends! I've got an incredible medical team on my side, and together, we've devised a master plan to take down this uninvited guest. Think of it as a strategic combo of chemotherapy, steroids, and the sheer audacity. They're throwing everything they've got at it, and so am I! I fully intend to follow in the footsteps of my cousin, Robert, and my brother, Ben and kick this disease's ass.

Now, here's where you come in! As you can imagine, fighting this villain comes with a hefty price tag. Unfortunately, I started a brand new job on March 1 and because I’m a new employee I do not yet qualify for medical leave of any kind. My existing vacation days have been depleted by my stay in the hospital. While it’s my intention to work through chemotherapy as much as possible, it’s very likely there will be days I cannot work and that means a smaller paycheck. Medical bills and expenses I never expected to have are starting to pile up fast.

That's why I'm reaching out to you, my amazing community, for support.

I’m asking, if you’re able, for your financial support in this fight.

Every dollar counts, no matter the amount. Trust me, it all adds up and helps me focus on recovery without constantly worrying about the financial side of things.

If you're not comfortable using GoFundMe, feel free to reach me on Venmo at @abbie-shull.

But even if you’re not able to donate, we all know laughter is the best medicine, so let's find the humor in every step of this wild journey together! Please share your favorite jokes, memes, movies, books, videogames and funny anecdotes with me. You can find me here, on instagram as @abbielj or on tiktok as @abbieljs . I’m trying to post updates and funny videos as much as I can. Let's keep the laughs coming and show cancer that it picked the wrong person to mess with!

I am also asking that you please share this post with your friends, family, and networks. The power of community and the collective impact of our connections can make a remarkable difference in my journey towards remission and recovery.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this update and for being the incredible, supportive individuals that you are. Your kindness, generosity, and sense of humor mean the world to me. Let's kick cancer's butt together!

With love and laughter,

Abbie