July 30, 20013
I'll start at the beginning.
July 5th I noticed a lump on my neck, just under the right ear. It kinda freaked me out! Monday, July 8th I went to the clinic. The provider gave me Keflex and had the lab draw blood to check for infection. The clinic called that day to make a follow up appointment because of some abnormal results. I went back on Wednesday for another blood draw and found out I was severely anemic. Normal is 12. I was at 6.2. I had an appointment for a routine mammogram that day, after the clinic appointment. While I was driving home from the mammogram I got a call from the doctor I had seen that morning. She had spoken to a specialist and wanted me to go to the ER at the local hospital for a blood transfusion. I went to Fredrick Memorial Hospital and ended up being admitted and getting 3 units of blood. The clinic doctor had also made a follow up appointment for me with the Hematology Clinic at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
The following week I went to Hematology, had more blood drawn and got a referral for the ENT clinic for a biopsy of the lump on my neck. Tuesday, July23 I went to ENT and had a needle biopsy of the lymph node and a tissue biopsy of the tonsil. The doctor I saw that day told me to be prepared for it to be cancer, but not to worry because this kind is very treatable, and he would call as soon as he had the results. Friday the 26th he called and told my that I had lymphoma and the Hematology doctor would be calling me back. By late Friday afternoon I had appointments for a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy for the following Monday, followed by a meeting with the doctor.
Sunday at church the Bishop announced to the ward that anyone who would like was invited to include me in their fast for Fast Sunday, August 4th. So many people were incredibly kind to me that day, some I know well, and some I just recognize from the other side of the chapel on Sundays. That evening Bishop Smith and Brother Kitchens came to my home and gave Ashley a blessing, then gave me a blessing. I felt great comfort and peace from those blessings! I know the Lord loves me!
Yesterday, July 29th, Joe and I woke up at 4 am and went and had the PET scan, the bone marrow biopsy, and an ultrasound of my heart (it's not 2 sizes too small!) The PET scan was a little weird. I had to drink 2 huge bottles of Barium, then get an IV. Then the technician brought in the stuff she had to inject in the IV. It was in a lead box. In a lead sheathed syringe. That makes you stop and take notice! The scan went well, even if I didn't get a nap.
The bone marrow biopsy was another story! That was horrible. Have you ever had a really thick milkshake that is too thick to suck up your straw, and you almost turn your face inside out trying? Now imagine how that shake feels. I didn't see the needle, but I'm pretty sure it was even the size of a drinking straw. And they do it in your backside, on a ridge of your hipbone, just above the coccyx. I think I nearly had an out of body experience.
Then I went for an ultrasound of the heart. The tech apologized if she was making me uncomfortable or if the gel was too cold. After what I had already been through, that was a massage!
My official diagnosis at this point is Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.
So I go in tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31st to get a port implanted in my chest, so I won't have to get IV's every time I need medications. Hopefully they will have all my test results back, and the doctor plans to start treatments by Monday, August 2nd.
All prayers, well wishes, and jokes are much appreciated!
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