Gunnar
This is the story of Gunnar:
Gunnar J. was 17 when he heard the words that turned his world upside down: B-Cell Lymphoma, diffuse T-Cell. The signs had been there, but the reality was something he could never have prepared for. "I stopped eating," he recalls. "I even declared myself to have an eating disorder." The diagnosis came after a series of troubling symptoms, leading to a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty.
Hearing the diagnosis was terrifying for Gunnar. "I was scared," he admits. "I had a million questions, but I was encouraged to have my family and friends around me." Despite the fear, Gunnar was determined not to waste any time. "Honestly, I just went gung-ho into treatment," he says. He was ready to fight, even though he didn’t know exactly what lay ahead.
Treatment started aggressively, but it was not without complications. "The worst part was the stroke," Gunnar reveals. "No one was prepared for that to happen." A persistent headache led to CT scans that showed several brain bleeds. He was rushed from Summerlin to Spring Valley, where he underwent two craniotomies in just 36 hours. During recovery, he suffered a massive ischemic stroke that damaged the left side of his brain. Gunnar had to relearn how to walk and is currently on several waiting lists for speech therapy.
Chemotherapy was brutal. "I was on chemotherapy for two months. I was pulled mid-cycle, during the third round, when I had a stroke," Gunnar explains. The side effects were overwhelming. "Most days were okay. Some days were definitely harder than others. The pain was often unbearable." Despite the challenges, Gunnar tried to stay positive. "I was scared and felt like giving up hope. But I did my best to stay positive."
To cope, Gunnar found solace in sleep. "I slept a lot," he says. "Being tired was the way my body dealt with the pain." This helped him endure the toughest days, but the emotional support from his family and friends was crucial.
Candlelighters played a significant role in Gunnar's journey. "Yes, I remember the first time I was introduced to Candlelighters," he says. "Jackie came in and introduced my family to Dany. She was definitely a light." For Gunnar, Candlelighters became a beacon of hope and comfort. "I never felt alone," he says. "I knew my family and my Candlelighters would be with me throughout my journey. Dany came and played games with me and constantly reminded me how much I am loved and not alone."
"Candlelighters helped my parents with bills and helped me with morale," Gunnar shares. "Days were easier with extra people in my corner."
Gunnar's journey is still ongoing. He is currently in immunotherapy and looks forward to the day he completes his treatment.
Looking back, Gunnar has valuable advice for others facing similar battles. "Don’t be afraid of seeming selfish," he says. "Take ALL the help. Accept ALL the love." His journey has taught him the importance of support and the power of staying positive even in the darkest times.
