• LLS
  • Team In Training
  • Light The Night
  • Man & Woman of the Year
  • Students of the Year
  • Regatta
  • Hero Squad
  • Lifestyle
  • Big Climb
  • Community
  • Careers at LLS
  • Donate
  • Menu
  • About LLS

    Who We Are

    • Our History
    • Leadership
    • Financials
    • Our Commitment

    Our Mission

    • Research
    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Patient Support

    Contact Us

    • My Chapter
    • Our Regions
    • News Network
    • Partner With LLS
    • Blogs
    • Work at LLS
  • Patients
    & caregivers

    Disease Information

    • Leukemia
    • Lymphoma
    • Myeloma
    • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
    • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
    • Facts & Statistics
    • Children and Young Adults
    • Newly Diagnosed
    • Managing Your Cancer
    • Treatment
    • Clinical Trials

    Support Resources

    • Contact an Information Specialist
    • Financial Support
    • Online Chats
    • Support Groups
    • Peer-to-Peer Support
    • Caregiver Support
    • Nutrition Consultations
    • LLS Patient Community
    • Podcast
    • Other Helpful Organizations
    • Suggested Reading
    • LLS Health Manager™ App

    Education Resources

    • Information Booklets
    • Webcasts
    • Videos
    • 3D Model Library
    • Drug Listings
    • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • Researchers &
    Healthcare Professionals

    Academic Grants

    • Academic Grant Programs
    • Apply for an Academic Grant

    Therapy Acceleration Program

    • Portfolio
    • The Team
    • Latest News
    • How To Apply

    Resources for HCPs

    • Continuing Education Programs
    • Continuing Medical Education Programs
    • Free Publications
    • Podcast
    • Patient Referral Form
    • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • How to help

    Ways to Give

    • Donate Online
    • Monthly Giving
    • Donor-Advised Funds
    • Employee Matching Gifts
    • Wills, Trusts, and Annuities
    • Stock Transfer
    • Tribute Gifts
    • Donate by Mail

    Fundraise

    • Fundraising Events
    • Create a Tribute Page
    • Create Your Own Fundraiser

    Volunteer

    • Volunteer

    Advocate

    • Take Action
    • Sign Up to Be an Advocate

    Shop

    • LLS Store
    • Charitable Shopping
  • Donate
  • About LLS
    • Who We Are
      • Our History
      • Leadership
      • Financials
      • Our Commitment
    • Our Mission
      • Research
      • Policy & Advocacy
      • Patient Support
    • Contact Us
      • My Chapter
      • Our Regions
      • News Network
      • Partner With LLS
      • Blogs
      • Work at LLS
  • Patients & caregivers
    • Disease Information
      • Leukemia
      • Lymphoma
      • Myeloma
      • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
      • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
      • Facts & Statistics
      • Children and Young Adults
      • Newly Diagnosed
      • Managing Your Cancer
      • Treatment
      • Clinical Trials
    • Support Resources
      • Contact an Information Specialist
      • Financial Support
      • Online Chats
      • Support Groups
      • Peer-to-Peer Support
      • Caregiver Support
      • Nutrition Consultations
      • LLS Patient Community
      • Podcast
      • Other Helpful Organizations
      • Suggested Reading
      • LLS Health Manager™ App
    • Education Resources
      • Information Booklets
      • Webcasts
      • Videos
      • 3D Model Library
      • Drug Listings
      • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • Researchers & Healthcare Professionals
    • Academic Grants
      • Academic Grant Programs
      • Apply for an Academic Grant
    • Therapy Acceleration Program
      • Portfolio
      • The Team
      • Latest News
      • How To Apply
    • Resources for HCPs
      • Continuing Education Programs
      • Continuing Medical Education Programs
      • Free Publications
      • Podcast
      • Patient Referral Form
      • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • How to help
    • Ways to Give
      • Donate Online
      • Monthly Giving
      • Donor-Advised Funds
      • Employee Matching Gifts
      • Wills, Trusts, and Annuities
      • Stock Transfer
      • Tribute Gifts
      • Donate by Mail
    • Fundraise
      • Fundraising Events
      • Create a Tribute Page
      • Create Your Own Fundraiser
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer
    • Advocate
      • Take Action
      • Sign Up to Be an Advocate
    • Shop
      • LLS Store
      • Charitable Shopping
  • Partners
    • LLS
    • Team In Training
    • Light The Night
    • Man & Woman of the Year
    • Students of the Year
    • Regatta
    • Hero Squad
    • Lifestyle
    • Big Climb
    Community Careers at LLS Language
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Canadian English
    • French Canadian
En Español
  • Who We Are All Survivor Stories Felicita

Felicita

Lymphoma Survivor

Philadelphia , PA

  • Print

At age 38, I was a wife and mom of three active boys. I worked as a preschool teacher. My days were spent surrounded by children, even when I was not working. In the fall of 2018, I began feeling really tired and I was suffering from chronic back pain and abdominal pain. I also was losing a great deal of weight. Then one evening while stretching, I felt a large lump on the left side of my abdomen. I panicked and made an appointment with my primary care physician.

After bloodwork and scans, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins follicular lymphoma. It was an indolent lymphoma, meaning it was slow growing and treatable, however it was not curable. I was told that I had a unique case, and my lymphoma was behaving aggressively. The plan was to treat it aggressively. My treatment regimen was RCHOP. I took a leave from work to focus on my health. I felt completely supported and cared for by my family, friends and hematology team. I learned about LLS through my cancer center. I joined their chat groups and also reached out to their Peer-to-Peer program for extra support, which helped me fight through my battle with a positive attitude. I knew I had many supporters rooting by my side.

In May of 2019, I received the news that I had a great response to treatment and my lymphoma was not active. I am on surveillance and I see my oncologist every three to four months. I have returned to work part time and I am enjoying spending extra time with my husband, three sons and the two puppies we welcomed to celebrate my remission. I attend a support group through LLS at the local Gilda's club and continue to participate in their online chat groups as well. I have been so fortunate to attend Light The Night walks and continue to fundraise for LLS as much as I can. LLS has helped me tremendously during my battle and my survivorship.

Being diagnosed with cancer was the scariest thing that I ever been through. Even though my lymphoma is not active, I know there will be a time I might need further treatment. There have been so many advancements in my type of lymphoma which has given me hope for a brighter future.  I believe if we all continue fighting and advocating, we will ultimately find a cure. I am doing well and living life to the fullest and want to thank everyone who was involved in this journey with me.

Previous StoryShaden
Next StoryChase Malone
Previous StoryShaden
Next StoryChase Malone

Follow us

Sign up for latest news

Subscribe

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Copyright
  • Link Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Public Disclosure
  • Fundraising Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
  • Work for LLS
  • Contact Us