Well Folks, for those who don't know... I am a Hodgkin's Lymphoma patient.
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, for those who don't know, is a cancer. While not RARE, is is less common. It is also one of the most EASILY CURED! WOO-HOO! yeah, right.
When I was first diagnosed (March 2001), I was told, by numerous doctors that if I was to have to choose a cancer, Hodgkin's was the one, because it was the most easily cured. WELL, somebody forgot to tell MY Hodgkin's this.
I did 8 months of Chemotherapy in 2001, had 2 lung surgeries, had a port-a-cath "installed", NUMEROUS tests, I have no idea how many CAT-scans, hospitalized three times.
I got the all clear in January 2002; and was THRILLED.
(left my husband Labor Day weekend 2002)
Damn it all, I did a big move/job transfer/job promotion in July/August 2005. In September 2005, I find out that my ex-husband has to move for his job... which means my kids are moving (just after I move closer to them)... to KANSAS, in January 2006!!! By November 2005, I am feeling pretty drained, tried to find a second job, to make extra money to give the kids an awesome Christmas, that blew up in my face...
I was feeling like crap January/February 2006, but just attributed it to all the stress I'd been going through in the past 5/6 months... March, I finally broke down and asked doc to order a CATscan.
Doc didn't call me with results (which I was told would mean, all is OK).
April '06, I find a new apartment closer to work, which is great because my car died. May '06, I get another promotion and another transfer... so I have to start taking bus to work, a week after I move.
July '06, I find lumps! Long story short... CANCER IS BACK... and I can guarantee, that doc is now terrified of ME!
Take time off work...
MORE Chemo Nov & Dec 2006. EXTREME Chemo in Jan 2007, to prepare for STEM CELL TRANSPLANT in Feb'07.
Preparing to return to work in September '07... I find MORE LUMPS!!! Damn it!
New treatment (study - I'm a guinea pig) January 2008 - July 2008... It didn't work!
Heading to Oncologist this coming Monday (in three days) to get results of latest CATscan and to discuss with docs, what the next step should be... I think I've got them baffled...
My "easily cured" cancer doesn't want to stay away...
BUT I'm still smiling, still laughing... so that's something (or maybe I'm just gone completely around the bend, ha ha ha ha ha)
