Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Finding the human side of cancer care

My symptoms started in March 2025. I just remember thinking, "You feel awful, and you don't know what's wrong." It went on for a while, and I kept searching for answers.

Eventually, I ended up in the emergency room. The doctor there was very straightforward with me—she told me she thought it could possibly be cancer. In a strange way, that moment felt like the end of the search. At least we were finally looking in the right direction.

Finding an advocate

From there, I was connected with Michelle Thompson, a cancer nurse navigator. She became my first real connection—someone I had an ongoing relationship with. She's a blast. I told her everything I had been through—the tests, the doctors, all of it. And from my experience, you really need an advocate. For me, that was Michelle.

There are a lot of moving parts when you're trying to get answers. Through it all, Michelle was my advocate. She helped connect me with the right resources, guided me through the process, and made sure I got where I needed to be. Michelle absolutely ran interference for me.

She was the one who really got things moving and helped connect me with oncology. In fact, she's my lifesaver—I don't think I would be alive without her. Michelle helped make sure I received the testing I needed and stayed with me throughout the process until we finally had answers. That's when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Michelle connected me with Dr. James Mason, an oncologist at McKay-Dee Hospital. My husband and I talked about where to go for treatment—Huntsman, Mayo, all the big names. We decided to meet with Dr. Mason first. What I appreciated most was that he didn't try to "sell" us on anything. He explained how treatment works, answered our questions, and gave us the space to make our own decision. That meant a lot.

Comfort in an unfamiliar place

Going into treatment was scary. I had worked the same job for 39 years and had only called in sick three times in my life. You're suddenly in a place where strangers are putting drugs into your body, and you don't know them. I was a little standoffish at first.

But the infusion team changed that completely.

Honestly, the infusion lab felt like being on "The Love Boat." Everyone was so happy and cheerful. They had me laughing the entire time. Those nurses are the most amazing people. I actually started looking forward to my treatments every two weeks.

The people in the infusion center made all the difference. Instead of feeling afraid, I felt surrounded by a team that genuinely cared about me. Michelle stayed with me throughout the entire journey. She would come by and visit, and I'd go see her. She followed me all the way through to the end of treatment.

Celebrating care that feels personal

When I finished my last round of chemotherapy, Michelle told me, "You need to ring the bell." I was too embarrassed at the time—I wanted to wait until my PET scan came back.

When the results came in, they surprised me with a celebration. They had a whole party—Dr. Mason was there, the PAs, Michelle—everyone. It was so thoughtful. What touched me most was that they really knew me. They understood my life, my family, my kids and grandkids. People don't open up unless they feel safe and secure, and they created that kind of environment.

It truly was an amazing experience. To go from living a very controlled, independent life to suddenly depending on others for care was hard. But the people around me made it something I could face.

A team that helped make the journey possible

There were so many people who were instrumental in my care, but I mention Michelle so often because she was the one who opened the door. She helped me get tested, get answers, and get where I needed to be.

Between the oncology team, the infusion lab, and everyone involved, I just kept thinking, maybe you land where you're supposed to land. Bloom where you're planted. These people know exactly where they're meant to be.

I've only worked with one oncologist, but I can say this: people receive incredible benefits from science and technology—and from the people who deliver that care. Based on my experience, I wouldn't recommend going anywhere else for infusion and oncology care.