I was 35, active, busy, and healthy — living a full life.
Before my cancer diagnosis, my life was full in the best way. I loved skiing in the winter, hiking whenever I could, and spending long summer days at the beach. I work in the event world, where no two days are ever the same. The pace is fast, the pressure is constant, and I thrive on the energy. I was always moving, always juggling, always “fine.” So, when a dry cough showed up in September 2023, I didn’t think twice about it.
It felt easy to explain away. A seasonal change. A lingering cold. Something minor. It wasn’t painful or dramatic — just… there. And because it didn’t stop me from living my life, I didn’t stop to question it.
LIZZY DESIBIA
By the end of October, I noticed a swollen lymph node in my neck. Around the same time, I started to feel “off.” Not sick exactly — just not myself. I couldn’t put my finger on it, which somehow made it easier to ignore.
In early November, I flew to Seattle for a conference. I walked miles every day, kept up with a packed schedule, and did everything I normally do — but I was exhausted in a way that didn’t make sense. I told myself I was just tired. Busy. Burning the candle at both ends.
When I got home, my cough had worsened, and my chest felt heavy. That’s when I finally went to urgent care, convinced I probably had pneumonia.
That visit changed everything — and I wish I had listened to my body sooner.
After listening to my breathing, the provider was concerned I might have a blood clot and sent me straight to the emergency room. Imaging revealed a large mass in my chest — what they described as “textbook lymphoma.” I had a biopsy immediately. Soon after, I was admitted to the hospital in Boston for three weeks and began treatment right away. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
What I Know Now
Looking back, the signs were there — subtle, easy to dismiss, and spread out over time. These are exactly the kinds of changes DetecTogether’s lifesaving 3 Steps Detect® education helps people recognize sooner. I didn’t delay care because I didn’t have access.
I delayed because I didn’t recognize what my body was trying to tell me.
Being young, active, and a healthy eater does not make you immune to cancer. I had every reason to believe I was “too healthy” for something serious — and that belief almost kept me from listening sooner.
Experiences like mine are why DetecTogether’s early detection education matters.
Cancer doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it whispers. And without the right knowledge, it’s easy to explain those whispers away.
3 Steps Detect® helps people:
- Notice changes earlier
- Trust their instincts
- Ask questions sooner
- Advocate for themselves with confidence
Early detection doesn’t always start with a test.
It starts with awareness — and the confidence to take action.
I didn’t use DetecTogether’s 3 Steps Detect® before my diagnosis, but I believe deeply in the power of what they do. Knowing what to look for, knowing when something deserves attention, can change outcomes.
What I Want Others to Know
Don’t take your body for granted.
Don’t dismiss health changes.
And don’t assume cancer only happens to “other people.”
Get to know your body. Pay attention to subtle changes. And if something doesn’t feel right, speak up — even if you can’t explain why.
Listening earlier can make all the difference.
Stories like mine are why DetecTogether exists — to help more people recognize the signs, trust themselves, and act sooner, when it can make all the difference.
Symptoms
- Persistent dry cough, swollen lymph node in the neck, fatigue
