So Much More: The Road Ahead

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Road Ahead

I reached the crest of the hill, got the needed repairs and I’m coasting now…… everything went great and soon I’ll be looking at it all in the rear view mirror.

There is still some maneuvering to do, a couple of tricky curves ahead, some bumps to dodge, and a few tests to put the vehicle through, but I have every confidence it will pass.

Reaching today's mile marker was a piece of cake compared to what I've already traveled, and the best parts are yet to come..... just gotta keep travelin.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: Good attitude! Good auto-road analogy, I just hope the gas doesn't bother you. ahaha! Okay, you know me: always with the cheap laugh. But as I've learned from my own experience, one good laugh can save you half of a pain pill. So glad you got through this okay -- and even happier that you're maintaining your spirit. Get Better soon! xxoo, Mark; March 27, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Beth Niquette said...: Keep looking up, Girl! You are going to make it--you are stronger than you know. God has a purpose for your life. ((hugs)); April 6, 2010 at 12:33 AM

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Tarzan?......why tarzan?

As noted in my profile, I was diagnosed with follicular non hodgkins lymphoma on November 30th, 2007. We were on a trip to the grand canyon area when I first became sick and noticed a lump on the side of my neck. Following an exam, many tests, and a surgical biopsy, I learned that for now I have a very slow growing lymphoma and over the years they have learned that immediate treatment will not change the outcome.

This is very different from when my Mother died of it in 1976. At the time hers was discovered in 1971, they saturated her with radiation over a 5 year period of time. Since then they now know that since it is not curable anyway, they would rather keep the patient off of treatment as long as possible. The modern terminology for this is "watch and wait".

At the time I have no further symptoms that I can not live with. I am low on energy, but part of that can be contributed to just age! Though I have some damaged veins in my neck due to the surgery, the nodes in that area come and go and have not caused any concern yet.

Watch and wait is NOT an easy way to live, we know the lymphoma will flare up again some day, so that tends to keep one aware of any changes. Of course I worry and of course I have problems with stress. However; since I look to my oncologist for guidance and rely on his wisdom, I am following his suggestion of pretending to be like Tarzan....... Tarzan in the movies who, while swinging through the jungle, always had a vine to grab as he was going from tree to tree. My oncologist has assured me over and over again that the vine would be there when I need it. As I grab one vine, another will be growing for me as I move through the jungle.

He explained to me that research and improvements in treatments are growing at a rate that is nearly faster than the growth of my cancer.

The message for all FNHL cancer patients, is to become "tarzan" like..... go ahead and climb that tree, stay alert, live life, and when you to need to reach out for that vine it WILL be there! As will the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Go ahead and swing through life and do it with confidence..... As with everything, there is so much more to the story, and so much more to life than cancer.

So Much More

The Search

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Road Ahead

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