Thriving After Cancer
- FOX reporter Amanda Salas was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2019. But now she's happily been in remission for about three years and living life to fullest. For her 37th birthday this week, she’s celebrating in Puerto Rico.
- Early symptoms of lymphoma can be tricky to notice as they may include swollen lymph nodes, fatigue or unexplained weight loss.
- A cancer diagnosis can change your life. But as we've seen in the case of Salas, you can thrive on the other side of treatment.
Salas received her non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in June 2019. And after completing six rounds of 24-hour chemotherapy five days a week for treatment, the 37-year-old Hollywood reporter overcame the disease.
Read More“3 years ago in June of 2019, my life changed forever,” she wrote in her caption. “‘I never would have believed you if 3 years ago you told me I'd be here, writing this song….but here I am.’ -Miley Cyrus”View this post on Instagram
She then went on to further reflect on her journey and shout out other cancer warriors who’ve faced their own battles.
“Grateful and humbled every single day to be a survivor,” she wrote. “Thank you for your love, support, and community. Tag a cancer survivor in the comments, so we can celebrate them together! #CancerSurvivor #Lymphoma #BloodCancer #Chemotherapy #Remission.”
Then, in another recent post, Salas gave followers a look into how she was celebrating her birthday this week.
View this post on Instagram
“🇵🇷🎉🥳🎂 6/6 Itinerary: Bad Bunny 🎶 . Good Birthday. â˜€ï¸ Piña Colada .ðŸ¹Worry about nada,🔠she wrote under a video montage of her posing in Puerto Rico.
And while sipping coconut water by the beach likely sounds like a dream vacation for most, it’s probably even more special for Salas to enjoy such a relaxing trip as she reflects on three years of remission this month.
Understanding Amanda Salas' Cancer
Lymphoma, in general, is a type of blood cancer. Blood cancers can affect the bone marrow, blood cells, lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society reports that every 3 minutes, one person in the U.S. is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.
More specifically, lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system that begins in the white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphoma begins when lymphocytes develop a genetic mutation that makes them multiply much faster than normal. This mutation also forces older cells that would normally die to stay alive. From there, the quickly multiplying lymphocytes collect and build up in your lymph nodes, the small glands in your neck, armpits, and other parts of your body.
What Kind of Lymphoma Do You Have? Why Your Type Matters
There are more than 40 different types of the disease, but Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are the main two sub-categories with the latter being much more common. The type of white blood cells linked to the disease determines the distinction. If doctors are unable to detect the Reed-Sternberg cell a giant cell derived from B lymphocytes then it is categorized as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
You might be at a higher risk for lymphoma if you:
- Have been infected with the HIV or Epstein-Barr virus
- Had an organ transplant
- Have a family history of lymphoma
- Have been treated with radiation or chemotherapy drugs for cancer in the past
- Have an autoimmune disease
Signs of Lymphoma
One thing to note about lymphomas is that this type of cancer often creeps in quietly, without symptoms. And even when symptoms do show up, they don't necessarily point directly to cancer.
In a previous interview, Dr. Elise Chong, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, explained that lymphoma symptoms could be difficult to detect.
Sneaky Lymphoma Symptoms Often Lead to a Late Diagnosis
"The symptoms of lymphoma, especially if you have a low-grade lymphoma, often are no symptoms," Dr. Chong explained. "People say, but I feel completely fine, and that's very normal."
People with lymphoma do not always have symptoms, but common ones are:
- Swollen glands in your neck, armpit or groin
- Fever
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling tired
- Swelling in your stomach
No matter what, it's important to communicate anything unusual happening to your body with your doctor. Even if you think there's nothing to worry about, it's good to rule out the possibility of more serious issues.
Thriving as a Survivor
A cancer diagnosis can change your life. But as we've seen in the case of Amanda Salas, you can thrive on the other side of treatment.
Take Marecya Burton, for example. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 20 years old. Burton was a college student-athlete looking forward to graduation at the time, but all that had to change when she was forced to move home to start treatment.
Former College Cheerleader Reinvents Herself After Surviving Ovarian Cancer
"That was definitely challenging for me," Burton said in a previous interview with SurvivorNet. "I was looking forward to graduating."
She also had planned on pursuing a law degree after graduation another dream she had to give up.
"I really had to, in a sense, put my life on hold," she said. "Sometimes I look at where I am, and I can't help but wonder, would I be further had I not had my diagnosis?"
But instead of law school, Burton found a new passion: teaching. She became a high school teacher in Baltimore, Maryland, and she's since made peace with her new direction in life.
"I wouldn't change my career for the world," she says. "It's so fulfilling."
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