Patience has been the key for Sandy Crossley in her fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The first symptom was noticeable two years ago, when she was 66. She discovered a small knot in her neck and went for a medical examination, beginning a series of tests and treatments.

“With this type of lymphoma you have to wait for months before you begin chemotherapy,” Crossley, of Dodge City, said. “You have to be patient, but when it started I had two types of chemo for six months. They have to check your blood first to make sure the red and white cells are where they should be. It was an hour of prep time before starting the chemo, and they have to go slowly at first to see if there is a reaction.”

If You Go

Relay For Life of Cullman County will be Friday, May 4, beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight, at the Cullman County Fairgrounds, 1501 Sportsman Lake Road NW, Cullman (relayforlife.org/cullmanal).

Before getting to the point of chemo treatment, the knots continued to appear. From the tissue tests she remembers thinking it looked like she had been shot with a shotgun.

“I was fortunate in that my body accepted the treatments well. I didn’t lost my hair or lose weight and a lot of things that can normally occur,” Crossley said. “After six months, everything was gone.”

Tests determined the lymphoma type was follicular, which develops when the body makes abnormal B-lymphocytes –  white blood cells that fight infection. The lymphoma cells build up in lymph nodes.

“There is not currently a cure, but I’ve been in remission and will get a booster every two months for my immune system,” Crossley said. “I didn’t have a lot of the symptoms like night sweat and extreme fatigue that come with this, but the knot was the first sign.”

Crossley said taking time to notice physical changes is important, such as the first knot she experienced. The decision to seek medical advice has paid off and her lifestyle has remained active and rewarding.

“What I first noticed wasn’t large, I just felt it was unusual; it didn’t feel right,” Crossley said. “That’s when I was aggressive about it at that point. If you will just notice and seek help you can often get to the problem early.”

She is also grateful for the research that has made new, more effective treatments available for patients.

“I thank the good Lord and the doctors,” she said. “All of the research through the years has allowed physicians to be able to pinpoint the cancer and what it feeds off of. That brought about new treatments that have saved a lot of lives. There are now treatments after chemo that continue to help you recover and live a better lifestyle.”

Crossley also took the initiative to encourage other patients when she was undergoing chemo. There more than a dozen people at the clinic taking treatments while she was there, with many of them becoming friends and working together to keep up their spirits.

“I think that’s always important, to reach out to others and offer support, even if you’re undergoing the same thing,” Crossley said. “A network of support from friends and family and the people you meet during that time helps everyone.”