Rebuilding Life After Lymphoma: A Story of Strength and Self-Compassion

From Sudden Symptoms to a Life-Changing Diagnosis

“When a bad thing happens, don't let it go to waste—do something good with it.” Those are Harriet Cabelli’s words of wisdom as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Long Island, New Yorker, who is also a survivor of non-Hodgkin large B-cell lymphoma.

The summer of 2025 marks two years since completing cancer treatment, after a diagnosis in March of 2022, that felt like it came “totally out of the blue.” 

Harriet had noticed some stomach discomfort, which was not unusual for her. Then, she was hit by a sudden wave of reality when she went to take her daily walk on the beach and couldn’t walk.  Thinking she may be dehydrated, Harriet took herself to the emergency room. That’s when she learned that she had a life-threatening lymphoma.

Finding Meaning and Staying Present

Harriet, a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in loss and grief, shared with HealthTree that when she was diagnosed, she reminded herself to apply the same guidance she offers to others. “I had to start using what I teach, on myself,” she said. 

Harriet has applied one of the basic tenets of the Austrian philosopher, Viktor Frankl’s theory of logotherapy to her life: It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond to what happens to you. “So, I wasn’t defining myself only as this sick cancer patient.” 

Harriet made a point to include small moments of joy in her daily life, even during difficult days. This intentional focus helped her manage anxiety. By actively redirecting her thoughts and grounding herself in the present, she worked to prevent anxiety from taking over, especially at times when her energy and strength were low. 

Practicing Mindfulness and Rebuilding a New Life

People often talk about mindfulness. But what does that really mean? 

Harriet explains how she thought about it at the time and how it helped her.  She reflected on the value of staying grounded in the present, noting that while much in life is outside of our control, focusing on what we can manage makes a difference. “You do what you can do,” she said, acknowledging that the rest often comes down to personal belief, whether in God, chance, or fate. She also addressed the common expectation to “move on” after treatment, recognizing both the gratitude she feels for being alive and the reality that life looks different afterward. “It’s a new kind of life,” she said, describing the process as putting together a new kind of puzzle that creates a different, yet meaningful, picture. 

Motivated by her experience, she hopes to support others by offering encouragement and sharing what she’s learned: that it is possible to rebuild, and that there is life beyond a diagnosis

Harriet’s personal and professional advice as a cancer “thriver” is this: “Think beyond the sickness. Even though we are a sick patient at the time, we are still bigger than our diagnosis.”

Support, Connection, and Shared Experiences

Living with or recovering from a blood cancer diagnosis can be challenging, but you are not alone. HealthTree Connect is a private, supportive community where you can meet others who truly understand what you're going through. Whether you want to ask questions, share your experience, or read about how others manage living with blood cancer, this space is designed to help support you.

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