Surviving Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Alayna Riozzi-Bodine's Journey to Resilience and Hope
Alayna Riozzi-Bodine, a high school senior from New Jersey, faced a sudden health crisis when she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma. The diagnosis came as a shock to the young athlete, who was concerned about her future and the impact of treatment on her identity. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects immune cells and is typically treated with chemotherapy. Despite the challenges, Riozzi-Bodine was determined to preserve her fertility and prevent hair loss during treatment, leading her to freeze her eggs and use a cold cap, a groundbreaking treatment at the time.
Throughout her journey, Riozzi-Bodine underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, balancing her treatments with college applications and exams. Despite initially being declared cancer-free, the cancer returned less than a year later, requiring more aggressive treatment. This time, the cold cap was not an option, and Riozzi-Bodine had to shave her head. She underwent immunotherapy, more chemotherapy, and eventually a stem cell transplant, a procedure often done for patients with recurrent Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The stem cell transplant was a challenging but successful procedure, followed by a period of isolation to allow her immune system to recover. Riozzi-Bodine credits her care team and nurses for their support during the toughest moments of her treatment. After completing her treatment in July 2024, she rang the bell at Memorial Sloan Kettering to celebrate her milestone. Recent scans have shown that she remains cancer-free two years later, marking a significant achievement in her journey.
Moving forward, Riozzi-Bodine will continue to undergo regular scans to monitor her health. Her oncologist and doctors are optimistic about her prognosis, with the likelihood of a future recurrence being extremely low if she remains cancer-free for five years. Despite the challenges she faced, Riozzi-Bodine's resilience and determination have allowed her to overcome cancer and look towards a future where she can live life as if nothing ever happened.