Hi, my name is Melissa, and I am from Jacksonville, Florida in the United States of America. I am Stage 3a and I was diagnosed in January 2024.
I’m 48 years old. I’m a wife, mother of 3, mother-in-law to one. I’m a preschool teacher. I’m a faithful Catholic and my faith has played a huge part in my journey with FL. My Catholic faith is something I have grown up with, and prayer is what my family turns to in times of need. After my initial diagnosis my family gathered for rosaries, and I had people doing mass intentions and requesting prayer from all over the world. God is with me through this.
I enjoy spending time with my family. Living in Florida we frequently take trips to Disney. I enjoy antique & thrift shopping. I love spending time with my family.
I had a swelling in my right groin; it wasn’t painful but it that lasted for weeks. I saw my doctor, and she ordered an ultrasound and CT scan. The CT scan showed it was an enlarged lymph node, two to be exact.
I had a biopsy removing the larger if the two and that’s when I learned I had Follicular Lymphoma. When I was first told I had cancer I don’t think it registered with me. The surgeon said, ‘so the diagnosis is follicular lymphoma’ and I just sat there listening to him talk. It was a few minutes later that I was like wait isn’t lymphoma cancer!?!? Then I asked what kind of doctor I would see and when he said ‘an oncologist’ that’s when it hit. Oh wow. That’s a cancer doctor. I have cancer.
I then had a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy. The only thing that showed was the other lymph node in my groin. I received 12 rounds of radiation on that area.
A year or so went by until I had another CT scan which showed two enlarged lymph nodes under my left arm. I had to have a needle biopsy for that, and it was discovered that it was also follicular lymphoma.
For me researching and getting all the information I can find helps. I like to be informed. I found the FLF (Follicular Lymphoma Foundation) and various FB groups and it helped to read other people’s stories.
My initial treatment was radiation followed by Watch and Wait. My family is very supportive. My mother helped with picking my kids up from school so I could go to treatments. My boss and co teacher were understanding with me missing work. My husband was supportive and helped where he could.
I had a PET scan early January 2026, and it found a few more swollen lymph nodes. It also saw a mass near my liver. I had a CT scan to check on the mass and thank goodness the mass is nothing to worry about. More than likely was intestine that showed up on the PET.
I will talk to my Dr shortly about the new lymph nodes.
When I learned of the enlarged lymph nodes under my arm, I felt defeated. I had hoped it would stay gone. I was worried about treatment options. The idea of Watch & Wait concerned me but after speaking to my doctor and understanding it better I now feel at peace.
I was very nervous in the beginning. Lymphoma is scary and I immediately worried about death. I trust my doctors though and I feel good about my treatment plan.
One thing that weighs on my mind occasionally is if this lymphoma will change into a more aggressive type. I pray and tell myself that we’ll cross that bridge when and if we get there!
I learned on the last webinar that we’re more likely to die with follicular lymphoma than from follicular lymphoma and that statement has brought me great peace.
