Louisiana Woman Skips One Appointment, Everyone Told Her Not to Worry. Months Later, a 6-Centimeter Mass Is Sitting on Her Heart: ‘Get Ready With Me’
She’s got this.
A Louisiana college soccer player is using TikTok to document her lymphoma diagnosis and treatment, blending raw honesty with the kind of humor that only makes the story hit harder. Rylie Kuyper, @kuyperventilating on TikTok, posted a ‘Get Ready With Me’ that racked up nearly 3 million views. In it, she applies makeup while recounting how a 6-centimeter mass ended up sitting on her heart, after she skipped one follow-up appointment.
The video starts like any other beauty routine, but Kuyper’s narration takes a sharp turn. She explains that back in December, she found a lump in her breast. Her mom and doctor both dismissed it as fibrosis, so she put off the recommended mammogram. Fast forward to two weeks ago, when she noticed another lump in her neck while driving home from spring break.
That’s when things got real. An ultrasound confirmed the breast lump was indeed fibrosis, but the neck lump was a swollen lymph node. A biopsy followed, and then another lump appeared on her chest. By the time she got a CT scan, doctors found the massive tumor pressing against her heart.
Kuyper’s storytelling is alarming and darkly funny
She jokes about her small chest hiding the lump, and she mimics her trainer’s voice telling her to skip a mandatory fitness test – something she says never happens in college athletics unless you’re “on your deathbed.” The moment she describes walking into a team meeting with two doctors waiting after hours, you can practically hear the record scratch.
The mass, she says, is “a 6-centimeter tennis ball sitting on top of my heart.” Since then, Kuyper has been posting regular updates about her diagnosis and treatment. In a second video, she reveals she has stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The good news is that Hodgkin’s is highly treatable. The bad news is that she can’t use cold capping to preserve her hair during chemo, which hits her hard.
“I don’t want to be bald,” she says, her voice cracking. “This sounds so shallow. At least I won’t have to shave my legs every day.” The mix of vulnerability and gallows humor makes the clip feel like a conversation with a friend who’s trying to laugh so she doesn’t cry. Another video takes viewers through the process of packing her chemo bag, and it’s a masterclass in practicality with a side of emotional exhaustion.
She starts by holding up a bag she “never wants to look at again” because it makes her feel sick. Inside, there’s a heated blanket, snacks (cheese crackers and peanut butter crackers, because apparently, chemo demands carbs), and a lunchbox full of frozen treats to help with the side effects of the “Red Devil” – a nickname for one of the harshest chemo drugs.
The bag also includes lidocaine cream for her port, steroid and anti-nausea meds, and a vomit bag. There’s even a pillow covered in dog prints, a small comfort from her pet. Her mom, who’s making her breakfast in the background, handles most of the packing, and Kuyper admits she’s grateful for the help. “I hate looking at it,” she says of the bag. “It makes me feel sick. So I’m really grateful that in my situation, I have a parent that wants to take care of me.”
The response to Kuyper’s videos has been overwhelming
Thousands of commenters have flooded her posts with messages of support, sharing their own cancer journeys, and praising her for turning such a heavy topic into something relatable. Many called her videos “inspiring” and “educational,” especially when it comes to advocating for your own health.
Kuyper’s story is a stark reminder of how easily medical concerns can be dismissed, particularly for young, otherwise healthy people. Her experience underscores how important it is to keep pushing for answers, even when a doctor or loved one downplays a symptom.
She doesn’t sugarcoat the fear or the physical toll, but she also doesn’t let it consume the narrative. Instead, she invites viewers into her world, whether she’s joking about her small chest hiding a tumor or admitting how shallow it feels to cry over losing her hair. It’s that mix of authenticity and levity that’s resonating with so many people.
Her posts highlight the role social media can play in destigmatizing illness
By sharing her journey so openly, Kuyper is not only processing her own experience but also creating a space for others to feel less alone. The comments section is full of people saying things like, “I had no idea what chemo was really like until I saw this,” or “Thank you for making this feel less scary.” It’s a powerful example of how vulnerability can turn into community.
As for what’s next, Kuyper is still in the early stages of treatment. She’s facing six months of chemo, with rounds scheduled through August and October. The road ahead is daunting, but if her videos are any indication, she’s approaching it with the same mix of determination and dark humor that’s already won over millions.
(Featured images: Rylie Kuyper @kuyperventilating on TikTok)
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