After completing treatment following a January 2024 mediastinal gray zone lymphoma diagnosis, Doug Hinkle shares his thoughts on survivorship, including the importance of support from family, friends and care team members. From the onset, I started experiencing physical challenges from the disease itself. It was really impacting my day-to-day lifestyle. Another challenge was explaining to my young daughters what was about to happen with treatment. As a parent, they see you as invincible, and here dad was not being himself. Cancer survivorship begins on day one A good friend of mine who’s battled the disease multiple times and come out on top was really influential in getting me to The James, and I'm forever grateful to him. At The James, they like to consider folks a survivor from day one, which really set the tone in how our experience with everyone at Ohio State has been. I was struggling mentally and emotionally, and I was referred to speak to someone to help cope. Initially, I was really apprehensive and didn't think that I needed to go down that path, but with more push from my physician, nurse practitioner and my wife, I agreed. That person's been extremely supportive and has helped me navigate the different stages of the disease and manage almost everything in life. I'm really thankful to have connected with her and have her in my corner. My oldest child also received supportive care for emotional and mental support as well, and I know that's helped her a lot. What's amazing is that I never realized just how much or how many services are offered to patients and caregivers to ease, educate and live with cancer. There are programs and information sessions I've attended regarding healthy eating that have been extremely informative. The Garden of Hope was one of the first programs I participated in, and those folks were tremendous. The team at The James was professional from the get-go. They sat down with me on day one and explained what the disease was and how we were going to tackle it. I had physical and mental issues along the way, and they adjusted for that and were extremely awesome. Treatment is over now, but I'm going back for scans and the checkups now, and it's nice to go back and see them. I can't speak highly enough of the folks at The James, including Dr. Timothy Voorhees, Dr. Austin Sim and their staffs, the JamesCare for Life team, the folks at the reception desk at The James Outpatient Care on the sixth floor and so many others. Everybody that we saw there and came in contact with was always super friendly and helpful. Click here to learn more about survivorship services for cancer patients and their families at The Ohio State University. Lessons learned from lymphoma treatment and survivorship Faith, family and friends — that's what carried me through treatment and beyond. My dad was here with us daily, taking my daughters to school and after-school activities. He lives more than an hour away and he drove back and forth every single day for 5 to 6 months while I was going through treatment. He’d be here with me every day. As awkward as it sounds, though I obviously hated what I went through, looking back, I was extremely thankful for the time I got to spend with him. Looking back, I would advise anybody getting ready to do this to take the help that folks offer. I at times was reluctant about that, but I just couldn't do some of the things that they were stepping up and doing. At first, I hated seeing it, but over time I realized that I needed them, and if they wanted to provide those services then I should be willing to let them do that for me. Secondly, Ohio State patients should take advantage of the programs The James team has to offer. Those gave me something to look forward to and some milestones to reach. I always like to tell people that are going through treatment that I promise there will be better days ahead. Hopefully, that gives them some hope to lean on. Or, if you or someone they know is unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, there's no better staff in place to help them than the folks at The James. I'd be remiss if I didn’t thank my wife, daughters, all of my family and friends, and a very special group of folks at work because they were there for me every day. Click here to learn more about lymphoma, including risks, symptoms and treatment options at the OSUCCC – James.