So, I've got cancer

If you are a friend of mine and you're like "Why am I hearing about this in a YouTube video" I'm sorry about that. I spread the news a bit, but I figured I'd let this do some of the heavy lifting for me.

Also, when I recorded this email, I didn't have my full schedule, but now I do. My first treatment begins....drumroll please, literally as this video goes live. So, there's a very good chance that I'm reading the comments right now while getting my first round of chemotherapy. I've also gotten my. PET/CT which showed that the cancer has not spread anywhere from its original location in my left armpit/chest area, which is very good news.

This sucks so bad, but I'm already learning so much...mostly about myself.

----

[vlogbrothers]

Reply with some good movie and media recommendations here. NO BUMMERS. Hank, as someone who found the film Big Bird Comes Home a little emotionally overwhelming (because Big Bird leaves home and gets very scared before, get this, eventually coming home again), here are my recommendations:
1. All nine Fast and Furious movies in order (there are bummers but the bummers happen alongside, like, cars in space, so they do not feel like huge bummers)
2. Harvey (zero bummers)
3. Happy Gilmore (lowest stakes of any film ever made)
I love you. We all love you. You've got this. -John

[petemiller]

I am an oncology nurse. If I ever got you as a patient, I would first have to personally thank you for getting me through nursing school. Think about that. How many people in the healthcare system have had their lives changed because of you? I'm sure many of the techs, nurses, etc that treat you have seen your videos in school if they are young. Best wishes and get well soon!!!

[Leonagraphy]

For everyone watching now, don’t worry! He’s now off of chemo and in remission!

[brekkfish]

I was just diagnosed with cancer today. This legitimately helped me calm down and stop spiraling... Thank you. I'm so scared,

[renaigh]

Hank, I can't stress enough that you have to repress the urge to start a Totally Legal Chemistry business during this difficult time.

[jflaugher]

My ex-wife had Hodgkins Lymphoma right after she gave birth to our second child. She was diagnosed at a very late stage - she was at stage 4a - and they put her on chemo. After half a year of chemo, she hadn't gotten any worse but she hadn't gotten any better either. The issue was 3 fold: She often felt physical pain; she didn't have much of an appetite and wasn't eating; and she was having trouble sleeping. That's when a friend introduced her to medical cannabis and it literally saved her life. Suddenly any pains she felt seemed tolerable; she felt hungry again; and she could sleep at night. After a year, she was in remission. That was 22 years ago and she's still alive and well.

[sarahallred]

No worries Hank you will always be three things for me personally:
1. That one science guy I watched as a kid who made me really into science and is the reason I am on my way to being an underpaid Physics Teacher
2. The author of a book series I enjoyed tremendously through audible, that made me so happy for so many reasons, that I didn't even know was authored by that one guy who taught me science as a kid till after I had completed both books (they really are incredible journeys to be apart of a whole experience that I am just in love with and they have so much social commentary that I really appreciate and I hold those flawed mf characters to my hearts)
3. The funny guy who really likes Canadian geese for some reason and who the internet has deemed hilariously the guardian of the grass (and your "straight I mean ehh" moment was just golden for me)

Cancer can never reach the level that these other identities are on, I mean like it goes to me with like the fact that John Green is your brother, is it true yah, does it probably affect your life massively yah, does it have anything to do with the way my brain compartmentalizes you, absolutely not, I have way too much autism for that.

[royce]

Only Hank Green could break the news while educating about cancer so well

[osmosisazman]

I'm a doctor and I'm gonna say something Hank Green would say. My heart sank when the ultrasound tech said lymphoma but when you further clarified Hodgkin's lymphoma, I let out a loud sigh of relief. You got this, Hank. Get well soon. Take all the break that you need. We all love you, Hank.

[fandal]

I'm a 14 year Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor. Gone through Chemo and Autologous Stem Cell transplant. It was a long year at the time. I had a fairly high stress technical job at the time. The job helped me move the focus from the sickness and keep me going day-to-day without falling into depression, but helped keep me on task for both work and my medical efforts. You got this.

[sobomarino]

I’m 19 and I just got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma yesterday, thanks so much for your video it’s been a rough couple weeks but it’s been a big help watching someone else go through the process at the same time, thanks Hank :)

[Kwiteee]

You are a boon to this world Hank and we're all pulling for you

[amy-moqc]

Here for you through all of this. We love you Hank

[annahayden]

Hank,
My father is a research scientist who happens to be the lead inventor on two current lymphoma treatments (I think they’re called rituximab and ipilimumab). His father, my grandfather, had lymphoma. My dad wanted to buy him some more time, so he started looking into treatments and gave his father an additional several years after his third and I believe final relapse (his cancer was aggressive). My dad isn’t super open or communicative, so I didn’t know any of this until my family watched your video. Here’s the thing. I’ve had an enlarged, hard lymph node for years that I didn’t really think much of, but I watched this video of yours when it was posted around three months ago. It prompted me to look up the B symptoms of lymphoma, most of which I had been complaining about to my doctor for months, but I thought for sure that couldn’t be what I was dealing with. Just in case, I scheduled an appointment with my doctor. I felt around to see if I had anymore enlarged lymph nodes, and I did. I have even more today. I mentioned it to my doctor at my appointment the other day and she put in urgent orders for imaging after feeling my lymph nodes. I have a CT scan scheduled for next week and an ultrasound the following week. I just want to thank you. I don’t think I would’ve addressed any of this or learned about my family history had I not watched your video. Regardless of my imaging results, I feel incredibly grateful to exist at the same time as you so as to have seen your video, as well as be my father’s daughter. I also saw your most recent update that you are officially in remission. Congratulations, sending all my love to you!! Thank you x1, 000, 000 Hank ❤️❤️

[anapontopina]

This is strangely the most enlightening, the deepest, bravest, vulnerable and the most light hearted explanation of a cancer diagnosis and its consequences.

I wish you a fast recovery and a strong health!

[pumasalad]

When I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1998, the doctor said "The bad news is you have cancer, the good news is we can cure this one." Good Luck Hank! We love you and all that you do!

[sankalppandey]

you've contributed soo much to the world through your courses
hoping that you'll get better soon

[RJ-ynhc]

I feel honored that you are sharing this with us. You will always of course be fun, goofy science guy. This is a difficult period in your life and you're allowing us a glimpse into your struggle, your humanity, your vulnerability. You express your views with a thoughtfulness and clarity that is inspirational. These videos will help so many people who are fighting cancer and it makes me think even more highly of you that you were brave enough to create them. I wish you the very best of outcomes. We are all rooting for you.

[abbizeiger]

"I wanna be fun-goofy-science guy. Not, like, guy."

Hank, we are capable of imagining you complexly. :)

[alexanderedwards]

23 year old brain cancer survivor here - don’t underestimate the power of staying positive and finding the silver linings during treatment!!! You’ve got this!