This cancer survivor shares his experience with advancements in cancer treatment.
BY Ryan Hamner
PUBLISHED April 21, 2018
Ryan Hamner is a four-time survivor of Hodgkin lymphoma, a musician and a writer. In 2011, he wrote and recorded, "Where Hope Lives" for the American Cancer Society and the song for survivors, "Survivors Survive" used in 2015 for #WorldCancerDay. Currently, he operates his website for those affected by cancer, 2surviveonline.com and drinks a ridiculous amount of coffee per day.
At times I felt like I couldn't get warm enough. I'm not sure if it was from my nerves, the cold air in the chemo clinic or the chemo running through my IV and into my veins. Maybe it was from a combination of everything. The worst was yet to come, though — 24 hours of being dreadfully ill. That part usually started just a couple hours after treatment, when my mom and I got back to the Ronald McDonald house and into our room. She usually carried me in. Sometimes I tried to fool myself into thinking "this time" would be different, but all treatments back then ended the same way: with brutal sickness. That was my cancer treatment in the 80s, ghastly.
Back then, we tried everything to curb the effects of the chemo drugs' side effects, even hypnotherapy. Nothing seemed to work. Ever. I was almost 9 years old and taking on Hodgkin lymphoma for the second time.
Back then, we tried everything to curb the effects of the chemo drugs' side effects, even hypnotherapy. Nothing seemed to work. Ever. I was almost 9 years old and taking on Hodgkin lymphoma for the second time.
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