Well, we have great news. No cancer cells detected in the bone marrow. It took me awhile to let that sink in.
It could mean this is stage 3 Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma. (Bone marrow would have made it stage 4). If so, we probably caught it early because my lymph nodes are swollen but smaller than normal.
It also keeps the door open to this being a misdiagnosis. I just feel it is. I don't have the classic symptoms and I have Lyme Disease and a Babesia Infection that can cause swollen lymph nodes. City of Hope hasn't been returning my calls. I thought the new patient person might be on vacation or whatever so I have called other numbers. I told my oncologist's office last week and, now that all the pathology reports are in, they promised to call yesterday. A doctor Nadamanee "the expert on lymphoma that trains the experts" is who we are relying on to definitively diagnose this.
In the meantime - I get to go for some baby therapy today through Sunday! My hubby and sister are going too! To say I am excited would be such a silly understatement. We will also go see the cannabis doctor and we will be meeting with a dear friend of Andy's brother who has been battling breast cancer for quite some time with lots of struggle. I so pray this tidal wave of information we've been trying to digest can help her.
Thank you for caring so much that you would read this. I named the blog "We are surrounded by love" because I was instantly aware of how blessed I am with people and with the love of God through Jesus, that really does surround me.
God raised our children and their wives - that is all I can say. I prayed and prayed that I wouldn't wreck 'em. He answered that prayer and honored every attempt I made to be a good mom. And now, I am a Nama!
I was born into a big family with 5 siblings who love me and have ALWAYS been encouraging and loving and affirming to me. Andy has 5 siblings too and I love them and they love me just the same. Many of them on both sides have spouses and children who are just so loving and are woven so tight into us that it is not like they are "in-laws" at all.
I have friends from way back who, I may not see very often, but are part of who I am and I know are there, loving me still.
We have raised our kids in the same house for 24 years - I am just so amazed at the deep roots we have here - with decent, supportive, and like-minded people who gave us the village in which to raise our amazing kids. And we were part of their village too; we shared our children and that has now given us an little army of young adults we call our own.
We have very special relationships that have been tested and strengthened by the fire of hard times. Our church family - there aren't any words I can think of. They are just real and present and they know that we don't have to prove anything to be accepted by God. We are just loved and they remind us of that through how they live and respond to us.
We have our extended family of kids in Africa who are growing up and we continue to be a small part of supporting and caring for them.
Coming from something of a turbulent childhood, I just can't believe we are so surrounded by deep and meaningful and supportive and loving people. Oh ya - how can I forget - my work! Jeepers. I should wear a camera around someday but it would be embarrassing to bring people into my work world. My coworkers, managers, friends, mentors, and especially the hard working and simply awe- inspiring students I get to "work with" - the way they treat me and, yes - that word again, love me.
I promised God through the years that I would remember and stay grateful for these past 31 years (interesting how that coincides with meeting my hubby). I asked him to help me when things got tough, that I wouldn't let the joy of these years go and my faith would stay strong. Writing this out has helped me remember again - I am surrounded by love and I have nothing to fear. I pray you feel the same way and, if not and you want more relationships like these, I pray that you dive into a new pool and find some beautiful creatures to swim with. They are all around and they probably are looking for you too. (-:
It could mean this is stage 3 Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma. (Bone marrow would have made it stage 4). If so, we probably caught it early because my lymph nodes are swollen but smaller than normal.
It also keeps the door open to this being a misdiagnosis. I just feel it is. I don't have the classic symptoms and I have Lyme Disease and a Babesia Infection that can cause swollen lymph nodes. City of Hope hasn't been returning my calls. I thought the new patient person might be on vacation or whatever so I have called other numbers. I told my oncologist's office last week and, now that all the pathology reports are in, they promised to call yesterday. A doctor Nadamanee "the expert on lymphoma that trains the experts" is who we are relying on to definitively diagnose this.
In the meantime - I get to go for some baby therapy today through Sunday! My hubby and sister are going too! To say I am excited would be such a silly understatement. We will also go see the cannabis doctor and we will be meeting with a dear friend of Andy's brother who has been battling breast cancer for quite some time with lots of struggle. I so pray this tidal wave of information we've been trying to digest can help her.
Thank you for caring so much that you would read this. I named the blog "We are surrounded by love" because I was instantly aware of how blessed I am with people and with the love of God through Jesus, that really does surround me.
God raised our children and their wives - that is all I can say. I prayed and prayed that I wouldn't wreck 'em. He answered that prayer and honored every attempt I made to be a good mom. And now, I am a Nama!
I was born into a big family with 5 siblings who love me and have ALWAYS been encouraging and loving and affirming to me. Andy has 5 siblings too and I love them and they love me just the same. Many of them on both sides have spouses and children who are just so loving and are woven so tight into us that it is not like they are "in-laws" at all.
I have friends from way back who, I may not see very often, but are part of who I am and I know are there, loving me still.
We have raised our kids in the same house for 24 years - I am just so amazed at the deep roots we have here - with decent, supportive, and like-minded people who gave us the village in which to raise our amazing kids. And we were part of their village too; we shared our children and that has now given us an little army of young adults we call our own.
We have very special relationships that have been tested and strengthened by the fire of hard times. Our church family - there aren't any words I can think of. They are just real and present and they know that we don't have to prove anything to be accepted by God. We are just loved and they remind us of that through how they live and respond to us.
We have our extended family of kids in Africa who are growing up and we continue to be a small part of supporting and caring for them.
Coming from something of a turbulent childhood, I just can't believe we are so surrounded by deep and meaningful and supportive and loving people. Oh ya - how can I forget - my work! Jeepers. I should wear a camera around someday but it would be embarrassing to bring people into my work world. My coworkers, managers, friends, mentors, and especially the hard working and simply awe- inspiring students I get to "work with" - the way they treat me and, yes - that word again, love me.
I promised God through the years that I would remember and stay grateful for these past 31 years (interesting how that coincides with meeting my hubby). I asked him to help me when things got tough, that I wouldn't let the joy of these years go and my faith would stay strong. Writing this out has helped me remember again - I am surrounded by love and I have nothing to fear. I pray you feel the same way and, if not and you want more relationships like these, I pray that you dive into a new pool and find some beautiful creatures to swim with. They are all around and they probably are looking for you too. (-:
Nama have fun with those beautiful girls. We can't wait to hear about the canibus dr. Praying for good info. LoveSuz
ReplyDeleteCath - you are a beautiful writer. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Have some wonderful moments in Colorado!
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