Cortney Stevens survived Hodgkin’s lymphoma | adriamycin | bleomycin | vinblastine | dacarbazine

In 2018, avid runner and half-marathon competitor Cortney Stevens began experiencing extreme fatigue, relentless itching, and unusual symptoms she couldn’t explain. What she initially attributed to intense training turned out to be something far more serious: Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In this powerful cancer survivorship story, Cortney shares her journey through diagnosis, chemotherapy, external beam radiation, lasting side effects, and the life-changing impact of cancer treatment.

From Unexpected Symptoms to a Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis
Cortney was accustomed to running long distances, but in August 2018, she became so exhausted that she would fall asleep at work. Her itching became so severe that she scratched her skin until it bled. She also experienced a burning sensation after drinking even a small amount of alcohol.

The turning point came when her left arm became painful, discolored, hot to the touch, and nearly twice the size of her right arm. Medical testing revealed a six-inch mediastinal mass extending from her left lung toward her clavicle. Swelling involving the subclavian vein was also a concern.

Initially, a lymph node biopsy did not indicate cancer, and a soft tissue disorder was suspected. However, Cortney and her family pursued a second opinion. More extensive testing ultimately revealed Stage IV Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Her experience underscores the importance of seeking further evaluation when symptoms persist and pursuing a second opinion when something doesn't feel right.

ABVD Chemotherapy, Neulasta, Lupron & Radiation
Cortney underwent six months of ABVD chemotherapy, a treatment regimen consisting of four medications:

Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
Bleomycin
Vinblastine
Dacarbazine
She also received Neulasta through an on-body injector after each chemotherapy round to help support her white blood cell counts. Lupron injections were administered every other chemotherapy round in an effort to preserve her fertility during treatment.

After chemotherapy, scans showed residual activity in the mass in her chest. Her treatment team recommended 20 sessions of external beam radiation to address the remaining activity.

In 2019, Cortney received the news she had been hoping for: there was no evidence of disease.

Life After Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Neuropathy, Fertility & Survivorship
Surviving cancer did not mean that life immediately returned to normal. Cortney developed neuropathy in her hands and feet as a side effect of chemotherapy. Although the neuropathy in her hands eventually resolved, numbness persisted in her feet, preventing her from returning to competitive running.

Rather than giving up on fitness, Cortney adapted. She now cycles vigorously on a stationary bike, finding new ways to stay active and reclaim a sense of control over her life.

She and her husband also learned that Lupron had not successfully preserved her fertility. As a result, Cortney will not be able to bear children. Although this loss has changed her future, she finds love and meaning in being a mom to her nieces, nephews, two dogs, and a cat.

Her story is a reminder that cancer survivorship can involve both profound gratitude and genuine grief. Life after treatment may look different from the life someone originally imagined, but it can still hold purpose, connection, and hope.

Understanding Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Cortney’s journey highlights the challenges of recognizing cancer symptoms, obtaining an accurate diagnosis, and navigating complex treatment decisions. Diagnostic evaluations for suspected lymphoma may involve biopsies, imaging, and blood tests, including a CBC blood panel and a sedimentation blood test, depending on the clinical situation. Findings such as a mediastinal mass require appropriate medical evaluation, while biopsy results help establish the diagnosis.

Some medical terms associated with lymphoma evaluations include spindle cells, which describe a particular cell shape and do not, by themselves, establish a diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Individual symptoms, test results, and treatment plans vary from patient to patient.

Cortney’s experience is shared for educational and inspirational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Learn more about Cortney and her work:

Cortney’s website:
https://wwwcortneystevensbooks.com

Cortney’s book — Surviving Chaos
A cautionary tale about what happens when your world implodes.

Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and her publisher:
https://wwwhuntsvillsindependent.com/product-page/surviving-chaos

If Cortney’s story resonates with you, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who may benefit from hearing a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor’s experience.