The Beginning....

Hello World!!!

Thanks so much for reading! I am completely new to this blogging world and I hope that you all will be patient with me as I learn how the process works!

 I strongly debated on going public with this information, however; If I can help just one individual going through the same things I am, then all of it is worth it. I will be sharing my experience as it unfolds and my fight with Hodgkin's Lymphoma takes off. 

Where did it all begin?!

About three weeks ago I found a swollen/painful lymph node in my neck just above my collar bone, didn't think much of it other than I would probably be sick over the weekend. Well Monday arrived without any sickly symptoms and  I had found yet another painful/swollen lymph node on my sternum. I decided it was time to get them checked out.

I went for a appointment with my family practioner, who sent me for a chest xray that night. (I remember thinking that was a tad extreme, however I did as I was told and I am so grateful I did). Those results came back abnormal and I was advised to have a Chest CT scan done immediately.

The next day I was sent for a STAT-(again, a little much, I mean I wasn't dying or anything) chest CT scan at a local hospital. I received a phone call that evening informing of the results. There were numerous swollen lymph nodes in my chest and a large mass (about 7 cm)lodged between my trachea (wind pipe) and mildly compressing my Superior Vena Cava (major heart artery). These results were most common with lymphoma and I was advised to seek an oncologist immediately. (What were my feelings at this point, complete denial, I thought they were nuts, however; I still followed orders just in case).

I called the local Cancer institute in my area the following morning where I was scheduled for an excisional biopsy of the lymph node above my collar bone. About two days later I received the official confirmation that it was indeed Hodgkin's Lymphoma-nodular sclerosis type. Which brings me to the present. I am currently waiting for my PET scan to see where the cancer is in my body, so they may properly stage the progress and begin my treatment regimen with will consist primarly of chemotherapy and possibly some radiation.

WHAT? WHY? HOW?

No this cancer doesn't run in my family. Yes it is very common in young adults and is typically aggressive in nature.
Did I feel any symptoms? Yes, within 10 days of finding the lymph node in my neck, it became difficult to be active let alone walk up the stairs in my house (something I will never get used to). I am also extremely tired, usually napping around 3 hours a day, while sleeping 8+ hours a night.

Success rate? Hodgkin's Lymphoma is one of the most treatable cancers out there. Chemotherapy is very effective in killing and keeping this cancer in remission.

My feelings since finding out the diagnosis haven't really changed. I can talk about it without weeping. I accept the challenge and with the love and support of my amazing family, friends and all those in between; I KNOW I WILL BE FINE. I believe that positive thinking can only make any situation better and I can only afford to have the positive WILL TO LIVE!

I will keep this updated as often as possible. Please feel free to ask questions, as that is why I am keeping it public!

God bless!