For five months, Alicia White kept going back to the doctor. “I just don’t feel right,” she would say. Heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and a deep sense that something was off. The response was always the same, stress and anxiety. But Alicia knew her body, and she knew this wasn’t just stress.
One day, after experiencing pain in the front of her neck, she went for an ultrasound. When the nurse left to get a doctor, she knew something wasn’t right. Moments later, she was told to go straight to the emergency department. They were waiting for her.
At the hospital, Alicia learned she had a 100% blocked subclavian vein. Something was causing the clot, but cancer was the furthest thing from her mind.
Facing Treatment and Isolation
Alicia was diagnosed with Primary Mediastinal B Cell Lymphoma (PMBCL) and began an intense chemotherapy regimen, DA-R-EPOCH. Five days in the hospital, 24-hour IV treatment, followed by two weeks of rest, repeated for six rounds. The treatment took everything out of her.
“The downside of this type of chemo is that it not only kills the bad cells, but all the good ones too. My body really took a hit!” she recalls. Hair loss, loss of appetite, bone pain, and extreme fatigue, chemo fatigue like nothing she had ever felt before.
But the hardest part wasn’t just the physical toll. It was being away from her children and support network. Every three weeks, she had to travel to Sydney for treatment. It was during COVID, so she was only allowed one visitor per day for just an hour. “The days were really long,” she says. “I felt very isolated. I couldn’t concentrate on reading, watching TV, or even listening to music. It was just me and my thoughts.”
The Mental Challenge of Cancer
Beyond the physical pain, the emotional impact of cancer was overwhelming. Alicia eventually sought help, but looking back, she wishes she had done it sooner.
“The biggest challenge was being young and feeling like no one understood what I was going through,” she says. Losing her hair was another hurdle. It made her illness visible to the world. “I felt uncomfortable going out because people could tell I was going through treatment. Buying some really nice headpieces helped me feel more feminine and less vulnerable.”
Fitness During, and After Cancer Treatment
Before her diagnosis, Alicia was the fittest she’d ever been, regular gym sessions, swimming laps, and thriving in her routine. So when lymphoma turned her world upside down, holding on to movement, even in the smallest way, became incredibly important.
“My treatment involved a lot of time in hospital, so when I was home, I really wanted to move my body. I’d read that even just a little bit of movement could help with recovery and mental health. That really stuck with me.”
As the treatment cycles progressed, fatigue and weakness crept in. There were days when even walking to the letterbox or doing gentle stretches felt impossible, like climbing a mountain. It brought frustration and moments of defeat.
“There were times my body pushed back, making it clear it wasn’t ready for what my mind wanted it to do.”
Still, Alicia kept going. Over time, exercise became something more than just physical, it became a source of empowerment.
“Those small wins, a slow walk to the end of the street, or just getting around the garden, gave me hope again. There’s something about exercising that reconnects you to yourself, even when you feel like cancer has taken so much from you. It’s a way to fight back, to regain control, even if just for a moment.”
When she was told she was in remission, Alicia expected life to return to how it was B.C. (before cancer). But pushing too hard, too soon, led to burnout. It was a tough lesson: healing doesn’t follow a schedule. With time and patience, she did rebuild her strength—but it took longer than she had expected.
“I am thankful for my struggle with cancer because, without it, I wouldn’t have stumbled across my strength.”
And now, that strength shows up in new ways. A simple walk, a short stretch, each movement holds meaning. It’s why Alicia is proud to be part of Legs Out for Lymphoma, encouraging others to move their bodies and honour their journeys, one step at a time.
“I never thought something as simple as going for a walk would feel so meaningful. Being active now reminds me that there’s life after lymphoma.”
Finding Support and Staying Strong
Alicia’s family played a big role in helping her find resources. Her sister-in-law introduced her to Lymphoma Australia, and her parents ordered booklets to better understand her diagnosis.
One of the most helpful things she found was the information on health and wellbeing. “Learning about the benefits of physical activity really helped me,” she says. Even on the toughest days, she tried to move her body, knowing it was a small but powerful way to reclaim her strength.
Now part of the Legs Out for Lymphoma campaign, Alicia is using her story to raise awareness and help others feel less alone.
Advice for Others Facing Lymphoma
“Trust your instincts,” Alicia says. “If something doesn’t feel right, push for answers. I kept being told it was stress, but I knew it was something more.”
And once treatment begins, she encourages others to ask for help, sooner rather than later.
“When you’re in it, it feels like pure survival. But when you’re on the other side, you realise the gift cancer gives you, you learn to prioritise differently and truly appreciate life.”
