Meet Yassine, diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, aged 21

My name is Yassine, I am 24 years old and I am proud to say I am a cancer survivor!

I have gone through ups and downs and I almost gave up, but fortunately I had the strength to fight and win against a horrible illness.

When I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I was starting university and a new job. It was an exciting new phase of my life. At the time when I was diagnosed everything was fine. Life was good and I was making plans for my future. 

I still remember the day the doctors said “you have to undertake chemotherapy...”, it was like the world collapsed on my shoulders. I wasn’t even sure if I was scared about the treatment or worried about the side effects I would have to deal with in the future. I can only say it was horrible and the support I received made a big difference. The struggle was real - I was having treatment and still studying and working which drained all my energy.

I had so many side effects too; I put on so much weight that I wasn’t fitting in my clothes anymore. Even my friends back home barley recognised me. My hair was falling out, leaving me no option but to shave it all off.

When I was going to treatment it was such a nightmare! I hated needles and the nurses struggled giving me medication as I was sick most of the time. Nausea was the worst; I felt sick constantly and could taste the medicines they injected me with all day long. I wasn’t able to eat what I wanted either, which was horrible. I fell into depression. I wasn’t looking after myself anymore; I was struggling and trying to live day by day but I was emotionless. I became a body without a soul.

I remember those days walking around without expression and without feelings. Everything was so dark and sad I stopped talking to most of my friends and going out because I felt so embarrassed. But I never gave up; I knew that the dark tunnel must have had an exit point and I could see the light far away - I was sure it was just a matter of time! That light was Teens Unite.

The impact Teens Unite had on me was absolutely great. I met people who felt like me, who have been in the same situation. People who I couldn’t get embarrassed with because they were just like me. Teens Unite brought back the life in me. I started to go to events, started to join activities and this helped me to overcome the illness. Everyone at Teens Unite - even just with a smile - have healed my wounds.

I am forever grateful for the help I've received from Teens Unite and the way they have helped me to see life from a different perspective.

I am now part of the Teens Unite committee and I am looking forward to sharing what we have been working on with you all. 

I am now in remission and hopefully I will never step a foot into an oncology department again! I am getting back into shape again and trying to move forward, but this has been a life changing experience that made me understand “the real meaning of life."