“I wrote a blog while I was going through treatment, and I posted on Instagram — @itsjennabean. People would comment and ask questions. It feels good to be able to share what I learned with others.”‐Jenna Meyer
Nobody expects to get cancer in their 20s, but I was 28 when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.
I was medically complex even before the cancer because I have complex regional pain syndrome — CRPS — a nerve condition that causes chronic pain in my feet. It was 2022 and I was having a port placed to receive infusions to treat that. They X-rayed my chest to make sure the port was in the right place, and they saw some large lymph nodes. I got a CT scan the next day, and 24 hours later my doctor called to tell me I needed to see an oncologist.
I live with my parents, and as soon as I saw my mom’s face, I broke down. Things were happening so fast, and I was having to make a lot of decisions, all while coming to terms with the fact that I might have cancer, I’m 28, and nothing makes sense anymore.
Meeting My Care Team
Within a week, I was sitting across from Dr. Stacey Su, the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She said we needed to biopsy the masses in my chest. She suggested two options: a needle biopsy or a surgical biopsy.
I ended up going with a surgical biopsy because we knew we’d definitely get an answer the first time. But when the time for the biopsy came, a lymph node has swelled out on my neck, so they just biopsied that. My chest would’ve been a much more complicated surgery so it was kind of lucky that it worked out that way.
I also had a PET scan, an imaging test that can be used to detect cancer. Together, the biopsy and the PET scan confirmed that I had Hodgkin lymphoma.
Within a few days, I had another appointment with a medical oncologist to discuss a treatment plan. Immunotherapy could make nerve pain from my CRPS even worse, so the medical oncologist took that off the table. Radiation therapy also wasn’t an option, because of where the lymphoma was located in my chest. That left chemotherapy as my best option.
Facing Cancer as a Young Adult
Before chemotherapy I had to think about fertility preservation. I hadn’t even decided yet if I wanted kids — who thinks about that when they’re 28 and single? In the end, I went with a treatment called Lupron, a synthetic hormone that puts your ovaries in a dormant state to protect them while you go through chemotherapy.
I ended up having twelve chemotherapy treatments over six months. About three or four days after each treatment I would get really nauseated and exhausted. The side effects were cumulative, so with each treatment I would feel a little worse. I was eventually given an extra medication intravenously for nausea.
My other health conditions made treatment complicated. The combination of the chemotherapy drugs and the pain medication I take for my CRPS was too much for my liver, so I had to stop one of my pain treatments and change one of my pain meds. Fortunately, I was able to see the palliative care team at Fox Chase, and they worked closely with my cancer team to manage my side effects.
Chemo was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m proud I got through it. I was actually in school at the time, completing a two-year program in medical coding. I finished the semester with a 4.0!
Life After Cancer
I go back every four months for follow-up appointments, seeing Dr. Shazia Nakhoda, a medical oncologist who took over my care.
I wish I could say that everything has been easy since finishing treatment, but actually, survivorship is tough. During treatment, you know what to expect. Now, nobody can tell you what will happen next. I’ve also developed some new health problems. Would they have happened if I hadn’t gone through chemo? We don’t really know.
It’s been tough emotionally. I have a totally different mindset. You can’t face your mortality in your 20s and not be changed. A friend told me, “I’m cancer free, but I’m not free from cancer.” I think that’s true, at least for me.
One big help through all of this has been my Fox Chase social worker, Lisa Etkins. She’s been instrumental in helping me both during treatment and in survivorship, and I would love for more patients to know about how much help social workers provide.
In addition to assistance from Lisa, what’s also helped has been making friends in the cancer community. Having friends who understand what it’s like and can even laugh about it — they made me smile when I was feeling down. We can talk about anything.
I also enjoy reading, especially romance novels. I finished more than 300 books last year. I also decided to be vocal about my cancer experience. I wrote a blog while I was going through treatment, and I posted on Instagram — @itsjennabean. People would comment and ask questions. It feels good to be able to share what I learned with others.
Joining Paws for the Cause
A real highlight has been getting involved with Paws for the Cause Dog Walk, one of Fox Chase’s fundraising events. My mom and I went to our first event in 2022, two months after my last chemo treatment. I was not feeling great, but it was about dogs and we love dogs! And we love Fox Chase, so we decided to check it out.
It was a fun way to get involved, and I’ve come back every year since. It feels great to raise money and give back, and it’s become a treasured tradition for me and my mom. Every dollar really does count.
This year, Fox Chase surprised me by asking me to serve as patient ambassador for the 27th annual Paws for the Cause. I’m a little nervous about public speaking, but I’m excited to be part of the planning process. It will make this year really special!
Learn more about treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma at Fox Chase Cancer Center.