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Changing course
Hodgkin lymphoma. In some ways, the diagnosis was a relief. Corey had been feeling awful for months — unable to eat or sleep, dealing with heartburn and exhaustion — and it was good to put a name to her symptoms. On the other hand, lymphoma is cancer, and cancer is dangerous. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society became a source of information and support for Corey. “I was a student of lymphoma,” she said. On the society’s website she found an accurate description of her disease, details about the latest breakthroughs in treatment, and a source of emotional support. While receiving her initial eight-hour round of chemotherapy, she got a phone call from a woman named Cheryl, a mentor from a peerto-peer support program called First Connection. The society matched the two women together because Cheryl, too, had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She knew what Corey was going through, both physically and emotionally. “Talking about it, and finding out about it helps,” Corey explained. In the chemo room, talking to Cheryl and surrounded by people who were frail, bald and much sicker than she, Corey felt fortunate. “Going through this gives you a whole new level of compassion,” she said. Corey received seven more treatments of Rituxan, and on Sept. 5, 2012, she found out that her cancer was in remission. Now she is a trained First Connection mentor and is looking forward to being a source of support for other people. “There is comfort in being other-oriented, in helping others,” Corey explained.
This June, Kimberly and Corey Keathley will participate in “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride,” a 100-mile journey around Lake Tahoe. The money they raise together will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Kimberly will not compete in the Race Across American this summer after all. The ultra-endurance training resulted in constant knee injuries, and a mild food allergy turned into a complete intolerance for all forms of dairy. On top of that, she received an invitation to race for the SpyGiant-Ride elite women’s cycling team. “I love racing,” Kimberly said. “That’s been my passion since day one. I fell in love with it on the first group ride even when I got blown out the back and thought my lungs and legs were going to erupt in flames.” The decision to change plans was not an easy one to make. It was preceded by hours of soul-searching, days of prayer and quite a lot of tears. “I felt that I couldn’t let down the people who expressed admiration for my goal, and feared disappointing people who I believed expected me to accomplish the endeavor.” Kimberly, like so many young people, is learning about the fine balance between ambition, commitment and flexibility. She is discovering that sometimes a plan must be muscled forward, but other times it is wise to follow the path as it unfolds. She is balancing the honor of being of service to others along with the importance of listening to the voice inside of her. It is not always easy. The way is not always clear. It is the tough work of being human.
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Bakersfield Life Magazine
March 2013