Cancer Strengthened My Faith In a dark time, Communications major Lauren Nadal saw the light. STORY: Lauren Nadal PHOTO: Gianna Horvath DESIGN: Emma Rowell
I never expected to be diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 19. I was a typical college student who became a cancer patient with the hopes of surviving and dreams of living another day. My life completely changed on August 13, 2019. I was going into my sophomore year of college. I looked and felt healthy. I was moving into an apartment with friends, and I was excited to reunite with my sorority sisters. That all changed when I felt a lump on the right side of my neck. For a while, I was in shock. I was so angry at God. I resented Him for it. I simply couldn’t accept this change in my life. Even when I informed friends and family about my illness, it still didn’t feel real to me. I began chemotherapy on August 26, 2019 at City of Hope.
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