My experience having a cancer

Well, as you can see in my status, I am in a chemotherapy. I only want to share my experience with this disease, how I feel about, and how my family and friends have reacted to it.

It all started when I noticed a lump on my neck. I thought it was a cyst, a lipoma, or something like that. I never imagined it could be cancer. Weeks later, I went to the hospital. Doctors and nurses examined my neck (there was more than one lump, but one of them about the size of a fist) and they admitted me immediately.
The next day, my doctor told me I had Hodgkin's lymphoma.

I was scared as hell. For a moment, I thought my life was over and all my plans were gone. But then my doctor told me that it was a disease with good prognosis, that it didn’t look THAT bad, and that I had a big chance of recovery. That brought all my hope back. I might had an existential crisis for half a second, but what matters is that I was motivated after that.
After leaving the hospital, I waited patiently for chemotherapy. Everything started in October, and I got my first cycle at the end of November (thank you, Spanish healthcare system, go to hell Pedro Sánchez). Right now, I’m in my second cycle, waiting for the next one because I'm having a neutropenia lol.

Once I truly understood that recovery was very possible (especially after my hematologist straight up told me I wasn't going to die from this lmao) I felt full of hope. I'm motivated, and nothing is going to change that. I don't care if it hurts or if I have to wait. Anything to experience a little more of this miracle called life.

This may be not mortal, but it's a serious disease and it's not easy, but it's not the end either. It's just a rough ride.

My parents are hopeful too, so home doesn't feel heavy or sad. And my family calls EVERY SINGLE DAY just to ask how I’m doing (and I used to think they didn’t care lol).

My friends were shocked at first, but when they saw I was facing it with humor and hope, they relaxed. It’s important to be brave with your friends, but don’t lie to them. If you feel bad, say it. Don’t feel guilty for needing to vent, just don't play the victim, you fucking dick.

All I can say is that I feel okay. I still have big plans for the future, and I'm glad I'll be able to carry them out. This is just a parenthesis in my life.

If you have a friend or a relative going through something like this (or worse) talk to them. Take care of them. Let them know they matter. Even if they seem okay, ask them how they really feel. They'll appreciate it more than you think.

Cancer patients don't need pity, we don't need people feeling sorry for us.
We need companionship, friendship, and empathy. Attitude matters a lot with illnesses like this. Feeling loved makes all the difference.
You are not alone. Everything is easier when you're not going through it by yourself.

This is not to whine, this is a battle cry, a call to life. Stay strong and be happy, my friend.

UPDATE (04/01/2026): My last cycle was the 23rd of December, and boy, it was pretty weird and tortuous. Well, I learned the hard what the corticosteroids were, in the form of sleeping at 23:00 and waking up at 04:00. But the pain doesn't stop there. Two days having hiccup. TWO FUCKING DAYS WITH A FUCKING HICCUP THAT JUST DIDN'T STOP NO MATTER WHAT. AFTER EVERY FUCKING MEAL, OR JUST FUCKING BECAUSE, THE HICCUP WAS THERE JUST TO FUCKING HAUNT ME. Anyway, it stopped and never came back, so I don't care anymore.

Now I'm balding a lot more, so I think that when this ends I'm gonna look like Dr. Evil. I don't really care about the hair, because it grows up again soon or late. I have another chemotherapy cycle this wednesday, let's see what happens now.

UPDATE (16/01/2026): I did this cycle with my defenses a little low, but everything has been good as far. I only had some bone pain due to the injection to boost my defenses. But, so far so well. Let's see what the next PET-CT scan says about my illness, I hope the ABVD is enough so I can get out of this hell asap, but I'm also not so afraid of death since there are a gazillion different types of chemotherapy for my disease. So fuck it.

Btw, I only had one day of hiccup and only two times. So I'm happy asf right now.