Inspirational Stories
Keith
diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Hi! My name is Keith. I’m currently 37 years old. I was diagnosed on November 6, 2015, with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). My wife, Tesia, was proudly serving in our finest Navy at the Pentagon when I received the news. She came home, and I had to deliver the news to her. It was rough; it was scary; it was a blur. I felt like I was on autopilot. However, I had a pretty good team at Walter Reed Bethesda Hospital.
On December 21, 2015, I received my first treatment. My last was April 5, 2016. After a whole year of some crazy scans, I got the pleasant news in 2017 that I was misdiagnosed. The top lymphoma experts stated that I most likely had marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). After having six chemo treatments of R-CHOP the year prior, my oncologist said I probably wouldn’t have to have any more treatments. So, now my treatment is to just live life and love it.
Here I am six years later, my wife is at 17 years of service in the Navy, my kids are 15, 12, and 8. I am loving and living life like I never had before. I bring awareness anytime I can. I spread love and joy wherever I go because life is a blessing, and life is good.
I support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (̽»¨ÊÓÆµ) because after being diagnosed, my wife went to look for support groups, facts, etc., and she stumbled upon ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ. We went to our first Light The Night walk in Washington DC, and it’s been a movement since then. I love the togetherness, the love, and the positive energy I get from it.
Thank you for what you do. Thank you for existing. You guys are amazing.