I was on a layover in Tampa Florida when I noticed feeling a sore throat coming on. I had 2 more layovers to complete my trip and my throat progressively worsened. When I arrived back home in Seattle I went to an urgent care for a “Z” pack as I was certain I had strep...
I received a shocking call at 8 am on a Friday, the first week of school, Sept 2019, saying I had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL.) It is a very aggressive cancer, so I was already scheduled to be at the hospital by 11 am that day to begin chemotherapy…. oh, and pack a bag, I...
Hello my name is Cynthia, and I began at Cancer Lifeline in the spring of 2021 when I was encouraged by the social worker where I had received chemo to try a support group. I was at a low—had started having daily emotional meltdowns, feeling so overwhelmed I couldn’t take care of my basic needs,...
My name is Emmie. I was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in May 2017 at Swedish. I went through radiation and chemo, but unfortunately the cancer wasn’t eradicated. I switched my care to UWMC in 2018 and underwent a radical hysterectomy surgery followed with 6 rounds of chemo. I lost all my hair and was...
John’s cancer journey began 8 years ago when a tumor was discovered in his liver. He completed surgery and radiation, which were successful, but there is a high possibility of recurrence, so he has scans twice a year. He didn’t learn about Cancer Lifeline until after his treatment had ended and wished he had found...
I was diagnosed June 17th, 2022, I was diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma, (Breast Cancer). I waited to join cancer lifeline till after surgery on July 27, when I had bilateral breast amputations (mastectomies.) I don’t know why I waited. I think the surgery made it real so then I had to deal with it...
In June of 2020 (great timing, wasn’t it?), my routine mammogram showed an area of concern. “It’s fine,” I said to the concerned surgeon who suggested an excisional biopsy. “I’ve had these before and they’ve always disappeared by the time I have the follow up scan. Before we do any type of surgery, let’s do...
In the words of some of the people who knew him, here is a portrait of our late friend Eric. “Eric Dell Schwortz was our younger son, husband to Allyson, brother to Steve, and friend to so many who continue to be supportive and exceptional human beings. He was a light and treasure to those...
I was diagnosed several years ago with late-stage Melanoma. Around the same time, my mother started to feel unwell. I really thought her symptoms might just be the result of stress from helping me cope with my own cancer diagnosis. But the day before my surgery, Mom was hospitalized for tests and observation. The tests...
Shortly after starting treatment, cancer patient Janice Rowe realized that she would have to give up her vocation as a pastor in Seattle’s United Methodist Church in order to focus on her health. Fairly quickly Janice experienced the harsh financial impact that many clients face. Fortunately, through working with her social worker she learned about...
