I am a 20-year survivor of 4B Hodgkin's lymphoma, and a 15-year survivor of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
I was 41 years old when I was first diagnosed, and I had three young children back then. Treatment was tough, but my husband was by my side every step of the way and it made a big difference.
My hero is my dad. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1961 and battled the disease until 1969. He was 38, and I was only 14. Back then, they didn't have the drug regimens they have today, but they were working on getting it right.
My dad and others like him helped researchers to figure out what worked, by their willingness to try whatever might work. I believe I am here today, because of what my dad went through. He will always be my hero.