"I am Fátima, a patient of peripheral T-cell lymphoma.  I was diagnosed with this disease two years ago and so began the war that I never thought I would have to fight.

Sometimes you learn to be grateful in the face of such tragedy in life.  Let me explain; hope causes tragedy and tragedy causes hope in a strange twist of fate.  Life's angels help us on the mysterious road to teach us how to enjoy a better life.  It all started with a traffic accident that caused cervical injuries to my lymph nodes, that until had not shown any worrying symptoms.  It was strange to survive that accident without any serious consequences, but with hindsight I think it was the key in that introduced me to this story with enough time to face it properly.

At first, my life seemed to turn upside down.  However, a period of my life began in which the grey days of battling with treatments were tempered with the wonderful network of people and situations that made that time unforgettable.  Those who have been through the same will understand the smallest of issues that can occur at any time.  There are many who tragically don't make it, and haven't been able to find their way out... Then there are those who appear every morning with a lollipop at the most important moment to cheer me up after such a long time.  This has been one of the greatest helps to me; to feel a part of the normal life around me.  This has helped much more than our conversations regarding the diseases and its effects.

I prefer to turn tears into laughter.  My husband and I have talked sarcastically about the possibility of starring in the Guinness book of records for the number of times (three) that we have had to cancel the celebration of our wedding.  We finally opted to get married in front of a judge to go down the quick route but when we had everything planned I had to go into hospital the day before to repeat one of the phases of my treatment.  The poor judge made himself available for any date whenever I got better.  In spite of everything, and without planning anything, we had a small party that our friends prepared as a surprise.

After an autologous transplant, I relapsed but with a stroke of luck (again "luck" that I only have one brother and he is compatible with me) I was able to undergo an allogeneic transplant, seven month ago.  And I'm still going.  Recovering and recuperating little by little all those everyday things that I had to put on hold during this time when the only thing I could concentrate on was: to fight for my life.

And so I wish the best for everyone.  I don't know how my future will turn out, but I will live with passion in the present to open more doors and look into the future with much more faith.  The uncertainty for what could happen should not ruin the beauty that can occur in the days of the fight.

Warm regards to all who are currently in this situation."

Fátima