My Follicular Lymphoma Journey

Purcellville Realtor Geri Deane and her husband Kenny.

My cancer journey officially began on March 19th, 2015. It started with an overwhelming sense of not feeling well and unrelenting nausea. Hoping for a quick resolution, I made an appointment with my doctor, who ordered an abdominal X-ray at the hospital. After the X-ray, I was told there were no immediate issues, so I headed home. On the way, my husband, Kenny, and I stopped to pick up anti-nausea medication, thinking that would solve the problem. But then my doctor called with urgent news: I had a blockage in my intestine and needed to get to the Emergency Room immediately.

As we hurried to the ER, things took a turn for the worse. I became violently ill, both inside and outside the car, an experience neither Kenny nor I were prepared for. In the chaos, a kind young man in a county van stopped to check on us. Adding to the drama, it was rush hour, broad daylight, and far from discreet. An ambulance arrived, and the EMTs took over. My blood pressure was concerning, likely from the stress, and they prepared to transport me to the ER. Kenny followed behind, and though I was a complete mess, I was grateful for the care I was receiving. The only thing I regret? Not asking them to turn on the sirens—just for the dramatic flair!

At the ER, a CT scan confirmed a blockage. I underwent emergency surgery performed by a trusted gastro surgeon I knew through friends. The surgery lasted until 2:00 AM. When I woke up, I learned the shocking news: a tumor the size of a grape had caused the blockage. Fourteen inches of my small intestine and the tumor were removed. At that moment, my world turned upside down.

The waiting game began as I anxiously awaited biopsy results. It was an emotionally excruciating time, filled with questions: What stage was I in? How did this happen? Why didn’t I realize something was wrong earlier? When the results finally came in, my oncologist delivered the diagnosis: Stage 4A Follicular Lymphoma. I had never heard of this specific type of cancer. Follicular Lymphoma is a slow-growing blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system. My doctor estimated that the tumor had been growing for 6 months to a year. Ironically, it was a piece of roasted broccoli that I hadn’t chewed properly that led to the tumor being discovered. Broccoli and I have had an interesting relationship ever since!

Preparing for Treatment

Facing chemotherapy was daunting. Kenny and I attended a chemo class, which helped ease some of my fears, though I still felt nervous. Would I get sick? Would the treatment work? My oncologist prescribed R-CHOP with Rituxin, a regimen that involved six rounds of chemo—two days each month for six months. The first step was getting a port installed. And then, as expected, I lost my hair.

Losing my hair didn’t bother me as much as I thought it might. Instead, I decided to have fun with it. I purchased two Raquel Welch wigs: a Geri wig (matching my natural color) and a darker Jodi wig for variety. I even made an appointment with my hairdresser to shave my head, knowing the shedding was inevitable. What made that moment particularly touching was the kindness of a high school girl who noticed what was happening. She asked, “Can I pray with you?”—a gesture that moved me deeply. Afterward, my hairdresser trimmed my wigs, and I wore my Geri wig home. The same young girl later told me, “You look beautiful.” I’ll never forget her words.

Finding Strength in Everyday Moments

Balancing treatment with my real estate business was a challenge, but my colleagues’ support made it possible. One memorable incident happened while helping a client prepare her house for listing.

As we moved a couch together, miscommunication led to me falling backward and fracturing my L1 vertebra. Despite the injury, my Geri wig stayed perfectly in place—a small victory in an embarrassing moment! Another favorite wig story involved swapping my Geri wig for the Jodi wig during a family dinner. No one even noticed the change, which gave me a good laugh.

The biggest challenge with the wigs? Summer humidity. The heat would cause sweat to drip down my neck, especially when clients had their air set on 75 degrees, but overall, I appreciated the confidence they gave me.

A Turning Point in My Follicular Lymphoma Journey

In October 2015, I completed my treatment and achieved remission. Despite my cancer diagnosis, I had my best sales year ever in real estate. This journey taught me the importance of resilience, humor, and the kindness of strangers—like the young girl who prayed for me and the countless friends and family who supported me.

After chemo, Geri’s hair came back “dark and curly — like a poodle.”

During my first introduction to follicular lymphoma, my mom’s health was declining. We supported each other, and I used to get her to laugh when my hair started growing back in dark and curly—like a poodle. I will never forget those moments with her.

During my nine years of remission (my Georgetown specialist calls this a gift), life continued to bring challenges. In 2021, my husband Kenny was in a horrible car accident and suffered one of two strokes. He is lucky to be alive. At the same time, my dad’s health was declining. Once Kenny came home from rehab, Hospice arrived to assist my dad with end-of-life care. My mom and dad were the best parents ever, and we loved caring for both of them.

Geri and Kenny Deane

During my remission, I did have regular appointments with my oncologist, but there were no maintenance drugs required. I continued with my Realtor role over the years and loved every minute of making a difference.

A New Chapter

We fast forward to November 2023, the day before Thanksgiving. Over the previous couple of weeks, I noticed the left side of my neck seemed to be getting larger. My doctors were definitely concerned and made arrangements for an emergency ultrasound of my neck. There was a huge part of me that appreciated their sense of urgency. Sure enough, my Follicular Lymphoma returned with a vengeance. My doctors referred to it as “Relapse.” Come to find out, it was everywhere inside my body, including a significant mass between my stomach and liver. As my favorite gastro doctor said, “I was loaded.”

So here I go again: multiple biopsies, scans, a new port, and trying to process how this could happen. All I know is that Follicular Lymphoma is a chronic condition with no cure. My treatment regimen was different from 2015, and though I didn’t lose my hair this time, that detail didn’t matter. While learning about the new regimen, I kept hearing about potential side effects, which made me very nervous. I do not like being nauseous—but you already know that.

At the same time as my relapse, I had the opportunity to join Hunt Country Sotheby’s International Realty. I couldn’t believe all of this was happening at once. New beginnings, and not easy ones. However, my broker said to me, “Geri, you know us, but you don’t know us. Don’t worry—we’ve got you.” Those were the most comforting words I could ever hear.

This relapse has been more serious and will require maintenance for two years. During my maintenance, I will have one day of chemo every two months and a PET scan every six months. I just had my fourth PET scan, and the results were positive. My fourth maintenance session is scheduled for January 24th.

Looking Ahead

As I welcome a new year, I reflect on the lessons of my journey. Life is unpredictable, but each challenge brings an opportunity for growth. Here’s to new beginnings and continuing to thrive—one step, one day, and one year at a time.

Editor’s Note

Geri is so unrelentingly humble that we couldn’t publish this post without amplifying the success she has had has a Realtor throughout her hard fought battle against cancer.

• In 2015, the year she was originally diagnosed with follicular lymphoma, Geri had the best year of her real estate career, managing 26 total transactions.

• In just the past 5 years, Geri has managed nearly $16 million in real estate transactions, with an average sale price over $730,000

• In 2024, following a significant relapse in November of 2023, Geri managed over $7 million in transactions.

If you want to work with a mature, experienced real estate professional, Geri Deane is a fantastic choice. If you want to be represented by a Realtor who overcomes any obstacle with determination and perseverance, there are few who rival Geri Deane.