La historia de Karen

Soy originaria de Nicaragua y ahora vivo en la soleada Barcelona. Hablo inglés y español, y formo parte del equipo de Estrategia Comercial en una empresa tecnológica. Actualmente estoy en remisión tras un diagnóstico de linfoma folicular grado 3A en 2024.

Siempre he valorado las relaciones significativas y me atrae profundamente el bienestar a través de la meditación, la danza extática, la lectura, la música y el contacto con la naturaleza.

Karen’s Story

I’m originally from Nicaragua and now based in sunny Barcelona. I speak English and Spanish, and I work in a tech company within the Commercial Strategy team. I’m currently in remission following a diagnosis of grade 3A follicular lymphoma in 2024.
I’ve always been someone who values meaningful connections and is deeply drawn to wellbeing through meditation, ecstatic dance, reading, music, and spending time in nature.

Joanne’s Story

I was on a lunch break at work and had gone for a short walk with my friend and received a phone call from the GP surgery informing me that the biopsy I’d had of a swollen lymph node in my groin revealed I had Follicular lymphoma. I was in complete shock & felt that everything felt unreal. The rest of the day was a blur.

Claire’s Story

Being a doctor and an oncology patient at the same time was a really strange experience. I was in disbelief for a long time. I just could not believe that these things that I had learnt about and read about for years were now happening to me. I had always felt so strong, invincible almost. It makes you realise how vulnerable we all really are.

David’s Story

man with mountains behind him

I try to live in the moment and be grateful for what I do have. I know the likelihood is that I will need treatment further down the line, but I try to remain as positive as possible and feel reassured that there are teams across the NHS and beyond who will be there to support me when it’s needed.

In April I will be running the London Marathon helping to raise funds for the Follicular Lymphoma Foundation.

Melissa’s Story

The surgeon said, ‘so the diagnosis is follicular lymphoma’ and I just sat there listening to him talk. 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.

Brandon’s Story

I found a lump on my right thigh and was worried it would be a hernia. I went to the doctor and discovered I had a cancerous lymph node. After diagnosis, it felt heavy. Like a shadow descended over my life.

Vikki’s Story

I remember everything about the day I was diagnosed with FL. And I remember my husband crying for the first time since our sons’ births.

Nicolas’s Story

My name is Nicolas, and I am from Omaha, Nebraska in the United States. I am at stage 3 FL and was diagnosed in 2024. I am a Union Ironworker, and I live with my girlfriend and our six-week-old baby girl.

Lori’s story

My name is Lori and I’m from Alabama, USA. I have stage 3A FL an was diagnosed last year, 2024. Once you are diagnosed and have a clear plan, you will get in a fight mode. It’s important to be aware that for some people the full realization of what you’ve been through may not hit you until after treatment is over.