My journey - battling lymphoma

Recently I celebrated my 46th birthday. I love celebrating birthdays! Then I participated as a co-captain for our local "Quabog" Relay For Life and the Pack 57 Rocks! Cub Scout Team. This was the time frame that I had discovered an uneasiness in my stomach and growth in my spleen and stomach. After weeks of monitoring, my husband Steve took me to the doctor who felt the lumps and ordered a CT scan. The CT scan showed a massive area, my spleen enlarged to twice its size and an additional growth lower in my stomach. Next was the localized CT guided biopsy and subsequent PET scan. The biopsy showed positive for lymphoma and most likely Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma.

This is my online journal sharing my experience through battling this cancer that has abruptly entered my life for no apparent reason. The story is documented here if you want to start from the beginning, you can check the archives on the side bar.

As a top competitive master athlete this year winning my age group at the Marine Corps Marathon and placing 3rd in the New England Trail Running Championship I have been truly excited with my results of late and am a truly driven athlete. Driven by goals.... my goal right now.... to beat this "thing"!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Going - going - almost gone!



Here it is --- and this is just what I have been brushing out.
It's getting everywhere and its disgusting.  :(  It clings to my clothes and it is really tough to wash my hair, which is what happened today ---- it started coming out in droves!  :(

It's going fast and I think it is almost time to shave it off.  Have you heard of others that have had a party to celebrate shaving their heads?  If I could drink wine that may be fun, but I can't --- it tastes horrible, which is sad too....  :(

We go to Pink Petal tomorrow to pick up the wig, so if this gets worse, the shave treatment will be this weekend or early next week.  Sorry to be such a downer in this post, I am usually so up, but this is just yucky!

Pink Petal should be an upper thought --- after I get some blood tests before RCHOP #2 on Monday & Tuesday next week.  Donna at the Pink Petal is always such an upper, I am looking forward to seeing her and talking with her and getting my new blonde wig!  HA!  :)  My friend Judy is so happy I am going blonde....  it is going to be fun to try on all the styles and colors....  I promise to take photos.  It will be a happier, more uplifting post than that pile of hair above!

Yuck.

3 comments:

Shelley said...

That SUCKS, Nancy. I know you expected it, but it's probably kind of like how you "expect" to go into labor with your first baby. You think about it, contemplate it, but "expecting" it vs. living it are two very different things. But, if you want to try to turn this around in your head, seeing your hair go means you are moving further along in the cancer fight and one day closer to being cured. And hey - I'll always welcome another blonde to our fold =)

Laura said...

Oh, Nancy, I'm so sorry to see all the :( 's and hear about your hair! I can't wait to see pictures of you as a blonde! And the rest of the "wig fashion" show pictures. I've been stopping by your blog and reading, but typically silent, and am amazed at your strength. Wonder Woman for sure!! :)

Love you!
sis

rosies cancer fund said...

Hi Nancy, love your site! Great story too. It's really amazing to see cancer sufferers opening up about their experiences and sharing their stories and positive attitudes. I sure you'll be fine. I myself have gone through cancer twice and have been in remission for some time now. I too am a determined person and being strong not only for yourself but for your family and friends too Is important. I recently started a blog/ community site to share my stories and allows other to start their own account to share their stories too. Perhaps you can tell your story share some images and link back to your site from it. More importantly, so people know who you are and give you support. It's a new site but I'm hoping all us determined and positive people can join together and find a way to beat cancer. My site is http://www.rosiescancerfund.com good luck with everything, best wishes to you and your family. Love Rosie :)