At a routine primary-care visit, Courtney Fournet was told the words no one expects: “You have acute lymphoblastic leukemia.” In hours, she went from “I’m fine” to packing a 21-day hospital bag, and within two days, she began hyper-CVAD chemo. Hair gone in two weeks. Strength wiped out. Control? Gone. This episode is the step-by-step of what came next: moving to Houston in 48 hours for a new treatment plan, learning to win with small controllables (laps with an IV pole), and rebuilding identity, marriage, and career on the other side. Courtney gets practical and real about fear of recurrence (why it’s scarier after you know the pain), switching careers to protect family time, and turning recovery into service—LLS fundraising, ACS CAN lobbying, and running marathons to take her body back. If you need a framework for crisis, this is it.
What you’ll learn
How to move from shock → action in the first 72 hours
The “control the controllables” routine (hospital laps, relationships, rules)
Caregiver dynamics: transitioning from patient/caregiver back to partners
A realistic mindset for fear of recurrence (known pain vs. unknown)
Career and boundary resets that protect what matters most
How advocacy and goals (LLS/ACS CAN, marathons) accelerate healing
About CourtneyAttorney turned advocate and survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia; relocated for care, returned to redesign work/life; fundraises for LLS, lobbies with ACS CAN, and runs major marathons in recovery.
Who this episode is forAnyone facing health upheaval (patients, partners, caregivers) who needs a clear, calm playbook for the hardest days.
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Keywords: leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hyper-CVAD, MD Anderson, caregiver, marriage, fear of recurrence, career change, advocacy, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, ACS CAN, New York City Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, mindset, control vs. acceptance, Courtney