Mike Yewdell was 27 years old when he began experiencing symptoms he initially dismissed as minor ailments, only to later discover he had stage 2 bulky Hodgkin lymphoma.
For about four months in 2017, Yewdell, an entrepreneur based in Nashville, dealt with symptoms including excessive sweating at night, itchy ankles, a persistent cough that caused his chest to crackle, and unexplained weight loss. He believed the cough was simply a dry cough.
By July 2017, his breathlessness had become extreme, making it difficult to speak without wheezing. A search for his symptoms online led him to believe he might have cancer or pneumonia. An initial X-ray revealed fluid in his lungs, prompting concern from doctors.
Believing he had walking pneumonia, a milder lung infection, Yewdell continued to focus on his work. However, his condition worsened, and a visit to an emergency room for more scans revealed three tumors.
A CT scan showed that the two largest tumors in his chest were grapefruit and tennis ball-sized, with a third tumor affecting his esophagus and causing swallowing difficulties. Doctors diagnosed him with stage 2 bulky Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that originates in the lymphatic system. Tumors typically start in lymph nodes in the neck and chest but can spread to other areas. The designation 'bulky' in chest tumors indicates they measure at least one-third the width of the chest. Common symptoms include fever, intense night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of patients experience significant itching, often on the lower legs.
Yewdell began a treatment regimen that included chemotherapy drugs ICE (ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide), radiation, and stem cell transplants. He also participated in an immunotherapy clinical trial.
He spent months recovering at home, gradually regaining strength and rebuilding his immune system. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 9,000 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma annually in the U.S., with about 1,200 deaths.
By May 2018, Yewdell's energy levels had returned to normal, and he was officially declared cancer-free on October 23, 2019. He is not currently on any medication.
Following his recovery, Yewdell launched his own company and has since helped raise over $500,000 for cancer research. He also recently married.
Yewdell now emphasizes living with a positive outlook, staying present in his relationships, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying active, viewing each day as an opportunity to live.