A young woman with long blonde hair and a bright floral outfit stands smiling on tiled steps in front of plants. The text above the image reads "DCIS at 27 Marianthi Florida".

Marianthi’s Journey as a Two-time Cancer Survivor: Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma & DCIS

Yes, you read that title right! Healthy history, no cancer in my family, no genes to account for, and fortunately/unfortunately, I ended up with two cancers at way too young of an age. I say fortunately because, after everything that’s happened, the best way to survive these battles is to figure out your “why” and make it a positive. But a survivor doesn’t get to a “why” easily. When I was alone, in a fetal position, begging for it to stop, I would always cry out, “Why God? Why me? Why am I still here?” And I was shown.

Diagnosis at 12: Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma

My story starts at 12 years old when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. At 12, there is no way a child can even grasp the understanding of why their body is betraying them. It was my own personal hell where I prayed every day for the suffering to end after numerous surgeries, chemo, and radiation treatments had destroyed my body and spirit. With the support of my family and prayers all around me, I made it to survivorship, and we learned the importance of following through with our appointments. For 14 years, I went back to my incredible lymphoma team who led me through my next battle.

The Second Battle: DCIS Diagnosis at 27

In 2021, at 27 years old, I lost all confidence and trust in my life. I was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) found on my very first mammogram per my lymphoma protocol. There were no signs and no symptoms, but I was considered high risk due to my radiation treatments in 2007. Suddenly, I was thrown into all the emotions I could not process at 12 years old as if Pandora’s box opened. We were navigating surgeries, fertility, and radiation treatments. Though we caught it early, my treatment plan was very complicated due to my history and the untimely decisions I had to make about my womanhood and future family. 15 years after the first, I crossed the second cancer off the list.

Finding Peace and Purpose: My “Why”

I joke that cancer is my common cold because I had to learn not to fear it. In finding peace with my mortality, my “why” was finally shown. “I am here to get someone else through this, I am here to inspire others, and I am here to remember my own strength.”

The Power of Early Detection and Screening

Screening and early detection became my secret weapons to fight back. Cancer, in general, does NOT have to be a death sentence anymore. Let’s fight back against the odds.

Finding Strength in the Face of Adversity

And when it gets unbearable and lonely, because it will, feel it ALL, then clear through the awful thoughts to get to that little voice that believes in you. That is where you’ll find the strength you didn’t realize you had.

A Message from Learn Look Locate

At Learn Look Locate, we are deeply inspired by Marianthi’s journey as a two-time cancer survivor. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, early detection, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. We are honored to share her experience and provide a platform for survivors to connect, learn, and find strength in one another. Our resources, from educational content to survivor stories like Marianthi’s, aim to empower and support individuals at every stage of their cancer journey. We stand with Marianthi and all the brave survivors who continue to fight, inspire, and remind us that hope is always present, even in the darkest of times.