Survivor: “That One Checkup Could Save Your Life”

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GRAND BAHAMA , BAHAMAS – A cancer diagnosis meant everything for a Grand Bahama survivor.

For Dominic Russell, it meant fighting for his life which was a journey of strength, hope, and survival.

Russell says it started with what he thought was just a small bump under his arm. He assumed it was a cyst, or perhaps something caused by deodorant. But the bump kept growing, eventually reaching the size of a cantaloupe. And then came the news he never expected.

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“I felt numb. I didn’t cry. It just was… it just, my whole body just was… I just was numb about it. And it eventually became overwhelming, but it was hard to deal with.”

The bubbly personality many know as Pastry Boy, or for his pageant expertise, quickly found himself fighting a battle far different from the life he knew.

Russell underwent intense chemotherapy.

But the treatment came with a devastating toll.

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“Going from 100 and 135 to 97 drastically was, you know, I couldn’t keep no food down, absolutely nothing. I had nausea every day, and it was a constant eating and bringing back, eating and bringing back.”

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“You tell yourself that you’re gonna make it and, you know, your brain is gonna tell your body, okay, I’m gonna be okay. I’m gonna be okay.”

Through the pain, Russell says he was never truly alone.

His family, and support from people and organizations across the country, helped carry him through both the spiritual and financial weight of his fight.

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“And that brought tears to my eyes to see that it was so many people, so many organizations that came together to support me and to help me through the journey.”

As World Lymphoma Cancer Awareness Day is marked, Russell is urging people not to dismiss changes in their bodies.

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“I would suggest if something like that would have happened, just go to the doctor and get a checkup. It doesn’t hurt to get a checkup. That one checkup could save your life.”

And now, as he gives thanks to those who helped him survive, Russell is also calling for change.

He wants cancer patients in Grand Bahama to have easier access to chemotherapy, without having to shoulder the added burden of traveling for care.

Dominic Russell – Stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer Survivor

“I really wish that the Minister of Health can see this some way, even if it’s temporary. I do understand that they are saying that there’s a hospital that’s being built. But in the meantime, if there is a facility that we can find that can be able to administer chemo to those who are diagnosed in Grand Bahama, to make it a bit easier for us, easier for them to be able to get chemo, I would greatly appreciate it. It is hard.”