He Has "My" Cancer

For cancer survivors out there, do you ever think that? Or if you are currently battling the disease and hear that someone else has that same cancer, do you think to yourself that now you share something with that person?

I just read that former "Survivor: Africa" winner Ethan Zhon has Hodgkin's Disease. Maybe it's because really Hodgkin's is a rare cancer that I feel that way each time I see someone else who has fought it, or who is newly diagnosed with it. I just think to myself that they have my cancer. Not that I want ownership over something like this! It's just a battle that I know well and one close to my heart.

I admit, I never watched Survivor. But I do sympathize with anyone who has to go through anything remotely similar to what I did. He has different treatments than me. They stated he must go through three months of radiation. I had 12 chemo treatments and one month of radiation. I am not sure if it said he has to have chemo or not. I did read that his specific Hodgkin's is called CD20-positive Hodgkin's lymphoma. I will be honest. I have no idea at all what that means. I forgot again to ask my doctor what stage I was. I hate not knowing!!! It drives me mad. I want to know. I want the exact name, stage and all of that though I doubt we'll ever have any definite answers since I couldn't get a full body scan. I will have to remember to ask the next time. That isn't until August. I hope I remember.

I am wishing this young man well. Hope he gets better fast. Then he can say he is TRULY a Survivor indeed.

Writing Too Much

I have never really been plagued with writer's block. Actually once I get going it's hard to shut me up. I think that can be just as big of a problem though. You certainly don't want to stray way off topic as I sometimes do. I have a lot of things in my head to write about. I sometimes think of something, forget it and then remember it later. Even in high school when our teacher would tell us to write so many words I would have trouble cutting my piece DOWN while others had trouble filling up the required space. I plan on writing about radiation which I don't think I have really went into a whole lot of detail about, at least recently. I want to discuss my 2 thyroid biopsies. I had superior vena cava syndrome, one of the very major symptoms that the tumor was causing major problems before we knew it was a tumor. I can think of so many things, I just hope I can remember them when I want to! If you out there as readers have a specific question regarding cancer, or a special treatment let me know. I just thought of another thing. I had a certain kind of chemo regularly used for treating Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It is called ABVD. Each drug has a long and rather hard to pronounce name. Each comes with it's own side effects. This particular regimen was not the one they used to use for Hodgkin's. I think it's fairly new as far as chemo goes. I think. I have to look that up. Anyway, I am giving you sort of a glimpse into what I plan on writing about soon. So look for my new posts regularly.

July 2008

I need a new update. It's already July 5th. It's so hard to believe how much time has passed by since this whole thing began. I see some people have come by the blogging looking for info. I am so glad to help people that are going through what I went through. I know the fear and uncertainty. It's so scary. You are not only feeling sick but now you have to worry about that new life growing inside you. It's hard to believe this could have a happy ending but it can and does! Gabriella is now 7 and a half months old! She was 19.5 pounds at her last check up. I can't help but giggle at that. She was 6 lbs 2 oz at birth. I know I have spoiled her but I think I'm gonna forgive myself for it. She's such a precious miracle. I worried about her so much and desperately wanting to make sure she's healthy I never let her cry for a second. haha She gets what she wants fast. I think I am in for a world of trouble for it though. She has us all wrapped around her chubby little finger. She can roll all over the room now. She doesn't crawl but I think this is her version of it. She can sit for awhile and when propped against the couch she can stand for quite awhile. I am proud of her accomplishments. Oh I think it wise to point out she has a milk allergy. I have had her on soy formula since about week 4 of life. She seemed super gassy and fussy especially when straining for a bowel movement. I gave her regular formula once and I will NEVER do it again. Let's just say it was not a pleasant experience. I myself am also doing wonderfully. I had a little cold last week but I think it's finally going away. I hate getting a sore throat. Any wheezing or pain in that area just reminds me of what I went through. I get nervous too at any pressure at all in my neck or chest. I think when I get sick the lymph nodes swell as normal but it causes extra pressure in my throat. I still have that scar tissue in there and thyroid nodules. I want to just feel no pressure ever again. I guess I can't have that though. I have my next follow up on July 9th. We are making a little family trip out of it since the doc is so far away now that we've moved. I still can't imagine seeing any other doctor. He's the best. I will update everyone on how my appointment goes. I think we are scheduling a scan this week. I hope we can do the scan itself closer to home though. I am going to include some new pics of the baby. She's such a big girl! She is also drooling all over the place. I expect that first tooth any day now. If anyone who reads my blog wants some words of encouragment concerning pregnancy, and/or Hodgkin's Lymphoma, please feel free to e-mail me! sandilynn1975@hotmail.com. Put in the subject line something regarding Hodgkin's or pregnancy because otherwise it will get deleted or maybe in the junk folder. I hope I can help even one person. I also uploaded a pic of me singing recently. I love having the breath to sing back!!!