In April 2022 my entire life changed. I just started my first real job in February 2022 as a paralegal at a law firm in Boston, MA. I was so excited to get my own apartment in Boston and to start studying for law school. April 10, 2022, I unexpectedly collapsed in my bedroom. Luckily, my grandmother was home and took me to the Yawkey Emergency Center at Falmouth Hospital. One of the many tests the doctors performed was a chest x-ray. That x-ray revealed a large mass in and around my heart. A CAT scan was subsequently ordered and confirmed the presence of a large tumor in my thoracic cavity. I was immediately put in an ambulance and taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA.
During my time at Brigham and Women's, I went into massive cardiac arrest while having my first biopsy. I had numerous CAT scans, PET scans, and blood tests; I have never been so terrified in my entire life. After a week of trying to find a diagnosis, I was diagnosed with primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBCL). This is a rare subtype of aggressive B-cell lymphoma.
I was moved to the Dana Farber Oncology Floor at BWH with Dr. Erin Parry heading my oncology team. Once I was diagnosed, I immediately started chemotherapy and was discharged after my first cycle of infusions about a week later. A PICC line was placed in my arm that deposits the chemotherapy infusions directly towards my heart to kill the cancer cells and I continued my treatment as an outpatient of Dana Farber Cancer Institute. They hormonally put my body in a menopausal state with the hopes of preserving my ability to have a family in the future. I lost all my hair, including my eyebrows and eyelashes. I completed 6 cycles of EPOCH-R chemotherapy in August 2022 and in September 2022 I got the “no evidence of disease” classification!
Getting a cancer diagnosis is like being forced to ride on the worst roller coaster in the world that's also on fire. My entire oncology team at Dana Farber helped me at every single step of this insane roller coaster. At the time, I could only take baby steps, and they helped me continue to move forward - I did not think I could. My AMAZING team was there for me medically, physically, and emotionally. They did whatever it took to help me carry on and fight the cancer that invaded my heart. Every day I think about how lucky I am to have been treated at Dana Farber.
I continue to be under the care of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute professionals and go in every 3 months for a check-up (only one more until it is every 6 months!).
I attended my first PMC during my 5th chemotherapy infusion (I was wearing my infusion backpack while I cheered on the riders) and my second PMC when I was nearly 1 year NED. I am so happy to be participating for the first time as I am coming up on 2 years NED! The most biking I have done in the past few years is on the blue bikes around Boston (haha), but the PanMass Challenge has become a special part of my and my family’s cancer journey. During the 2022 PMC, we shared the experience with one of our closest friends, Dave Rowse, whose dad passed away from cancer. During the 2022 PMC, he had dedicated his ride to me. Last year, I watched my dad, Bob Hofeldt, join Dave on the ride. I changed my signs from CANCER WARRIOR to CANCER SURVIVOR which was an awesome and cathartic moment made possible by my incredible oncology team at Dana Farber.
And as I approach 2 years NED, I am SO STOKED to be riding for this amazing cause. Please join me in helping raise awareness and money for this amazing organization. 100% of donations go directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure to this terrible disease. If you are interested in learning more about my experience, please check out the link below!
https://slhstrong.blogspot.com/?m=1
In April 2022 my entire life changed. I just started my first real job in February 2022 as a paralegal at a law firm in Boston, MA. I was so excited to get my own apartment in Boston and to start studying for law school. April 10, 2022, I unexpectedly collapsed in my bedroom. Luckily, my grandmother was home and took me to the Yawkey Emergency Center at Falmouth Hospital. One of the many tests the doctors performed was a chest x-ray. That x-ray revealed a large mass in and around my heart. A CAT scan was subsequently ordered and confirmed the presence of a large tumor in my thoracic cavity. I was immediately put in an ambulance and taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) in Boston, MA.
During my time at Brigham and Women's, I went into massive cardiac arrest while having my first biopsy. I had numerous CAT scans, PET scans, and blood tests; I have never been so terrified in my entire life. After a week of trying to find a diagnosis, I was diagnosed with primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBCL). This is a rare subtype of aggressive B-cell lymphoma.
I was moved to the Dana Farber Oncology Floor at BWH with Dr. Erin Parry heading my oncology team. Once I was diagnosed, I immediately started chemotherapy and was discharged after my first cycle of infusions about a week later. A PICC line was placed in my arm that deposits the chemotherapy infusions directly towards my heart to kill the cancer cells and I continued my treatment as an outpatient of Dana Farber Cancer Institute. They hormonally put my body in a menopausal state with the hopes of preserving my ability to have a family in the future. I lost all my hair, including my eyebrows and eyelashes. I completed 6 cycles of EPOCH-R chemotherapy in August 2022 and in September 2022 I got the “no evidence of disease” classification!
Getting a cancer diagnosis is like being forced to ride on the worst roller coaster in the world that's also on fire. My entire oncology team at Dana Farber helped me at every single step of this insane roller coaster. At the time, I could only take baby steps, and they helped me continue to move forward - I did not think I could. My AMAZING team was there for me medically, physically, and emotionally. They did whatever it took to help me carry on and fight the cancer that invaded my heart. Every day I think about how lucky I am to have been treated at Dana Farber.
I continue to be under the care of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute professionals and go in every 3 months for a check-up (only one more until it is every 6 months!).
I attended my first PMC during my 5th chemotherapy infusion (I was wearing my infusion backpack while I cheered on the riders) and my second PMC when I was nearly 1 year NED. I am so happy to be participating for the first time as I am coming up on 2 years NED! The most biking I have done in the past few years is on the blue bikes around Boston (haha), but the PanMass Challenge has become a special part of my and my family’s cancer journey. During the 2022 PMC, we shared the experience with one of our closest friends, Dave Rowse, whose dad passed away from cancer. During the 2022 PMC, he had dedicated his ride to me. Last year, I watched my dad, Bob Hofeldt, join Dave on the ride. I changed my signs from CANCER WARRIOR to CANCER SURVIVOR which was an awesome and cathartic moment made possible by my incredible oncology team at Dana Farber.
And as I approach 2 years NED, I am SO STOKED to be riding for this amazing cause. Please join me in helping raise awareness and money for this amazing organization. 100% of donations go directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure to this terrible disease. If you are interested in learning more about my experience, please check out the link below!
https://slhstrong.blogspot.com/?m=1
| 2025 | $100.00 | PMC Fundraiser |
| 2024 | $7,341.00 | Sturbridge to Provincetown Monument (2-Day) |
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Summer Hofeldt