I was diagnosed with Stage 3B Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 23 in September 1999. I underwent six months of chemotherapy starting in October 1999, which lasted until March/April 2000. The treatment was photosensitive requiring it to be covered during four-hour sessions every two weeks. Initially, I had to avoid sunlight for six months and faced a high risk of skin cancer and airborne illnesses due to my weakened immune system. Once a fit young man, I gradually became fragile and weak, struggling to get out of bed for days, which ultimately left me unable to walk or stand straight for months. This experience was further complicated by trauma, PTSD, depression, and what is now referred to as "chemo brain," leading to ongoing memory issues. Today, I still encounter challenges with memory recall, often relying on others to help jog my memory, while my family, especially my twin brother, remembers things clearly. Thankfully, technology has aided me in regaining some cognitive function through computer games like Scrabble, and socializing has allowed me to reconnect with others. Two years after my diagnosis, I began to engage with the world again by enrolling in an Access Course, which took me two years instead of one. This eventually led to my acceptance at a local university, where I studied philosophy and criminology, completing my degree without honors at 28, as the challenge felt overwhelming. Despite my struggles with body image and health, I was determined to persevere and reclaim my life.

Now, at 48, I am healthy but still face challenges in maintaining work and relationships. However, I feel empowered and know what I want from life, feeling strong enough to pursue what it can offer me and my daughter, whom I never thought I could conceive due to my treatment. She is my miracle.

Life is easier now, but I still encounter many challenges and experience "chemo brain" during stressful times, which disrupts my thoughts, memories, and speech. I manage this by planning my thoughts and only speaking after analyzing the topic I want to discuss. Small talk is difficult, and I often find myself trying to piece together conversations around me.

Creating this website has taken me 20 years; I have been trying since 2013, and it has gone through many iterations. I had to reflect and refine it until it became coherent and structured, something I struggled to achieve before. However, perseverance has paid off, and advancements in technology have made it easier to create websites and correct my grammar.

My journey has not been easy, but I cannot complain, as I am still here, waking up and living life when so many have lost hope or passed away after devastating diagnoses. This is why I created this platform—to offer hope and focus to those still here.