i got a call yesterday from the pulmonologist's lady....she said the doc wanted me to come in that day, or today, to talk with him
i was confused - i asked "before my biopsy comes back? i'm already meeting with the surgeon on friday."
she said that the lung doc's results were back & he'd like to chat with me
uh, ok
so i went in this morning....the nurse took me back to weigh me (sigh) & get my vitals....then she hands me an envelope & says "this is from sharon (the pulmonologist's lady), she wanted to make sure i gave this to you"
right on the front - sharon had written...
"referral appt. @ cancer center"
uh duh - i guess i know what i'm here to find out now!
(good thing i'm not sensitive & it didn't freak me out - that might not have been the best move for someone else in this situation!)
so the doc comes in & says that yes, the biopsy is back & that i have
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
but don't worry - it's the good kind of lymphoma - the curable kind!
if i have to have cancer, this is the kind i want!
;0)
i really like this doc....he's very up front & frank - makes sure i understand everything & gives good advice....i won't see him again - i was just referred to him because of the lymph nodes around my lung & well, he's a lung doc....i'm scheduled to meet with an oncologist next tuesday - then we'll talk about what stage i'm at, what the plan of action is for treatment, etc....the lung doc told me that it's key that i'm active in my treatment - that i ask any & all questions, that i am frank with the cancer center docs about my concerns, that i read up & learn as much as i can, and that i fully understand what's going on
he showed me my PET scan, and OMG!
there are so many lymph nodes in my neck & chest that my left lung is about half the size of my right - from all the nodes crowding it....luckily, there's no other cancer in the rest of my body - just in my neck & chest area
i told him that it's a good thing these nodes on my neck popped up - or i'd have no clue....i'm actually pretty darn healthy otherwise....he said that's how most people find out....that it's usually people around my age - and that a node in the neck or under the arm will pop up - or they'll notice their neck is looking weird - lopsided....that's why it's super important that you have any lumps or growths checked out!!! (that's my PSA for today! ~wink~)
this a very treatable cancer & survival rate is like 90%, so again - i'm not worried....plus we've had so much preparation leading up to this - we pretty much knew this would b the diagnosis, we were just waiting for the ball to drop
i'm still going to see the surgeon tomorrow about my incision....it'll be good to talk to another doc - sort of like getting a 2nd opinion....and i REALLY like the surgeon - he's an older gentleman, very smart and very kind! he just makes you feel at ease....and a fun fact about my surgeon - he's the same doc that removed a cancerous goiter from my mom's thyroid back in like 1983!
and she's still kickin'!
~lol~
keep the prayers coming as i start this "cancer treatment" journey - it's really weird to say that....i have cancer....but i know i'll be fine & i have an amazing support system around me!
oh, and you wanna know something else really cool? sort of a silver lining...
about 6 months ago, i signed up for AFLAC cancer insurance here at work!
yep, i was already getting the accidental insurance, and cancer wasn't that much more of an additional cost....and with curtis & his stupid cigars, i thought - why not?!
never thought i'd use it for me!
i was confused - i asked "before my biopsy comes back? i'm already meeting with the surgeon on friday."
she said that the lung doc's results were back & he'd like to chat with me
uh, ok
so i went in this morning....the nurse took me back to weigh me (sigh) & get my vitals....then she hands me an envelope & says "this is from sharon (the pulmonologist's lady), she wanted to make sure i gave this to you"
right on the front - sharon had written...
"referral appt. @ cancer center"
uh duh - i guess i know what i'm here to find out now!
(good thing i'm not sensitive & it didn't freak me out - that might not have been the best move for someone else in this situation!)
so the doc comes in & says that yes, the biopsy is back & that i have
Hodgkin's Lymphoma
but don't worry - it's the good kind of lymphoma - the curable kind!
if i have to have cancer, this is the kind i want!
;0)
i really like this doc....he's very up front & frank - makes sure i understand everything & gives good advice....i won't see him again - i was just referred to him because of the lymph nodes around my lung & well, he's a lung doc....i'm scheduled to meet with an oncologist next tuesday - then we'll talk about what stage i'm at, what the plan of action is for treatment, etc....the lung doc told me that it's key that i'm active in my treatment - that i ask any & all questions, that i am frank with the cancer center docs about my concerns, that i read up & learn as much as i can, and that i fully understand what's going on
he showed me my PET scan, and OMG!
there are so many lymph nodes in my neck & chest that my left lung is about half the size of my right - from all the nodes crowding it....luckily, there's no other cancer in the rest of my body - just in my neck & chest area
i told him that it's a good thing these nodes on my neck popped up - or i'd have no clue....i'm actually pretty darn healthy otherwise....he said that's how most people find out....that it's usually people around my age - and that a node in the neck or under the arm will pop up - or they'll notice their neck is looking weird - lopsided....that's why it's super important that you have any lumps or growths checked out!!! (that's my PSA for today! ~wink~)
this a very treatable cancer & survival rate is like 90%, so again - i'm not worried....plus we've had so much preparation leading up to this - we pretty much knew this would b the diagnosis, we were just waiting for the ball to drop
i'm still going to see the surgeon tomorrow about my incision....it'll be good to talk to another doc - sort of like getting a 2nd opinion....and i REALLY like the surgeon - he's an older gentleman, very smart and very kind! he just makes you feel at ease....and a fun fact about my surgeon - he's the same doc that removed a cancerous goiter from my mom's thyroid back in like 1983!
and she's still kickin'!
~lol~
keep the prayers coming as i start this "cancer treatment" journey - it's really weird to say that....i have cancer....but i know i'll be fine & i have an amazing support system around me!
oh, and you wanna know something else really cool? sort of a silver lining...
about 6 months ago, i signed up for AFLAC cancer insurance here at work!
yep, i was already getting the accidental insurance, and cancer wasn't that much more of an additional cost....and with curtis & his stupid cigars, i thought - why not?!
never thought i'd use it for me!
10 comments:
Well it sounds like you are in the hands of some good drs and that this can be taken care of. I know you'll be fine and we are all praying for you!
I am amazed at your attitude towards all this. I know that I would be a total wreck with all the "what if's". I hope that you continue to feel well. PLEASE let me know if I can do anything for you guys!!! Aw man I wish I was closer.
Your positive attitude will go a LONG way in helping you recover.
Funny story, my mom works for AFLAC, (it's a great company) but she has ducks EVERYWHERE in her house and my kids are constantly squeezing them, so all you ever hear is aflac, aflac, AFLAC!
I'm so glad that things are already on the go for this! Praying that you hold on tight to the many promises of God and he can continue to give you strength through this!
Bless your heart, you are a strong mamma!!! I have been and will continue to be praying for you and your family through this. Thank God you went as soon as you did and found it so you can treat it and beat it! Please let me know if you need anything!!!!
I'm incredibly relieved that this is the curable kind with such a high success rate! As always Sharon you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Just like everything else, attitude is everything. You show that cancer who's boss!!! Knowing is half the battle, now it's go time. Glad you have good doctors that you trust treating you. Also, really glad you have the additional insurance.
Mark has been working on the movies, so at least you will have entertainment through out your treatment :)
As always, we'll be praying and thinking good thoughts. We got your back, girl! Let us know if you need anything.
WOW - thx guys! i feel so loved!!! ;0)
i really, truly appreciate each & every one of u! u guys r the best ever!
xoxoxoxox
sharon
Sharon, you are AMAZING!!! Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing all that's going on in your life and heart right now. I am so inspired by your faith and your ability to take every thought captive so that your mind does not rule, but that your faith does. You can most definitely overcome this...and you will! I'll be praying for you and your fam.
I'm playing "catch up" here--WOW-your laid back attitude is amazing!! You are so strong! I'd be a mess. You'll be in my prayers! That ROCKS about AFLAC too. God works in "mysterious ways."
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